Creighton Bluejays vs Auburn Tigers Prediction – 3/22/2025

The Creighton Bluejays and Auburn Tigers are set to face off in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 7:10 p.m. Eastern Time at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. This matchup features the ninth-seeded Bluejays (25-10) against the top-seeded Tigers (29-5), with both teams aiming to secure a spot in the Sweet 16.

Creighton Bluejays vs. Auburn Tigers Game Preview

Creighton enters this contest following an impressive 89-75 victory over Louisville in the first round. Guard Jamiya Neal delivered a standout performance, recording 29 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. The Bluejays showcased their offensive efficiency by shooting 57.1% from the field and 45.8% from three-point range in that game.

On the other hand, Auburn advanced by defeating Alabama State 83-63. Guard Miles Kelly led the Tigers with 23 points, connecting on seven three-pointers, while forward Johni Broome contributed a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Auburn's season has been marked by a potent offense, averaging 83.8 points per game, and a solid defense, allowing 69.4 points per game.

Betting Insights

As of the latest reports, Auburn is favored by 9.5 points, with an over/under set at 150.5 points. The moneyline odds are Auburn (-450) and Creighton (+350). Notably, Creighton has performed well against the spread (ATS) as an underdog this season, holding an 8-2-1 record in such situations. Conversely, Auburn has struggled to cover the spread recently, going 2-7 ATS in their last nine games.

Key betting trends include:

• Creighton is 15-8-1 ATS after a win this season.
• Auburn is 2-4 ATS in NCAA Tournament games since the start of the 2020 season.

Creighton Bluejays vs. Auburn Tigers Prediction

This matchup presents a compelling contrast between Creighton's balanced attack and Auburn's high-powered offense. Creighton's Ryan Kalkbrenner, averaging 19.2 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, will be pivotal in countering Auburn's Johni Broome in the paint. Additionally, Jamiya Neal's recent performance suggests he could be a significant factor in the Bluejays' offensive strategy.

While Auburn's offensive prowess is undeniable, their recent struggles against the spread and Creighton's strong ATS record as an underdog suggest that the Bluejays have the potential to keep the game competitive. Therefore, considering the current spread, Creighton covering the +9.5 points appears to be a prudent pick for this matchup.