Tennessee guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie (0) tries to get the shot off while guarded by Texas forward Camden Heide (5) in an NCAA college basketball game on January 6, 2026, in Knoxville, Tenn.
Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Auburn vs Tennessee Prediction 3/12/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

Pick details

MATCHUP Auburn Tigers Tennessee Volunteers
Team Records 17-15 21-10
Spread +5.5 -102 -5.5 -118
Moneyline +210 -258
Total Over 146.5 (-112) Under 146.5 (-108)
Where Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN
When Thursday, March 12, 2026
Time 03:00 PM EDT
TV SEC Network

The Auburn Tigers and the Tennessee Volunteers meet Thursday in college basketball action from the Bridgestone Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Auburn Tigers vs. Tennessee Volunteers prediction.

Auburn Tigers Recap

The Auburn Tigers come into this game off of their win over Mississippi State by a final score of 79-61 last time out. 

Tigers Looking For Massive Upset

Keyshawn Hall leads the Tigers in scoring and rebounding with 20.4 PPG and 6.9 RPG along with 2.7 APG while Kevin Overton has 13.3 PPG with 3.3 RPG and Tahaad Pettiford has 15.2 PPG with a team-high 3.6 APG to lead the Tigers in assists. KeShawn Murphy has 10.6 PPG with 6.8 RPG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers up to this point in the year and Elyjah Freeman has 9.5 PPG with 4.7 RPG as well this season. As a team, Auburn is averaging 83.5 PPG on 46.2% shooting from the field, 33.9% from three and 74.9% from the foul line this season.

Tennessee Volunteers Recap

The Tennessee Volunteers come into this game as the 5-seed, sitting at 21-10 on this year, including an 11-7 mark in SEC play.

Volunteers Looking To Hold It Down In State

Ja’Kobi Gillespie leads the Vols in scoring and assists with 18.1 PPG and 5.4 APG while Nate Ament has 17.9 PPG with 6.5 RPG to lead the Vols in rebounding along with 2.5 APG to cap off the pair of double-digit scorers for Tennessee up to this point in the year. J.P. Estrella has 9.3 PPG with 5 RPG while Jaylen Carey has 7.5 PPG with 6.2 RPG of his own and Felix Okpara has 7.2 PPG with 5.8 RPG as well this season. As a team, Tennessee is averaging 80.5 PPG on 46.8% shooting from the field, 34.7% from three and 69.6% from the foul line this season.

Auburn Tigers @ Tennessee Volunteers Betting Trends: March 12, 2026

Why the Tennessee Volunteers will win

  • Tennessee has won eight of its last nine games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
  • Auburn has lost four of its last five games against AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
  • Tennessee has won the first half in 20 of its last 21 games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.

Why the Auburn Tigers will win

  • Auburn has won nine of its last 10 day games at Bridgestone Arena.
  • Tennessee has lost each of its last four day games as an AP-ranked team.
  • Tennessee has lost the first half in each of its last four March day games as an AP-ranked team.

Total Points Facts

  • Nine of Auburn’s last 10 games have produced a total of 149+ points.
  • Twenty-two of Tennessee’s last 25 games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue have produced a total of 145 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

  • Tennessee ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for rebound percentage this season (59.2%).
  • Tennessee is one of only four teams to reach the Elite 8 in each of its last two NCAA Tournament appearances.
  • Auburn ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for free throws made per game this season (20.4).
  • Auburn ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for free throw attempts per game this season (27.2).

Auburn Tigers vs. Tennessee Volunteers Prediction

I’m on Tennessee here. I just think the Vols are the better and more physical team in a pseudo home court environment here, and while Auburn got their nice win against Mississippi State, i think this is where the run ends. Give me Tennessee.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Tennessee -6.5

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