Number 18 Purdue and #2 Auburn both head to Birmingham to face each other on Saturday afternoon. The game is at 4:30 PM ET on ESPN. Can Auburn cover the 8.5-point spread as neutral-site favorites? Keep reading for our Purdue vs. Auburn prediction.
The Purdue Boilermakers are 8-3 straight up in the regular season this year. They are 5-6 ATS this season.
The Auburn Tigers are 10-1 straight up in the regular season this year. They are 8-2-1 ATS this season.
Purdue vs. Auburn Matchup & Betting Odds
689 Purdue Boilermakers (+8.5) vs. 690 Auburn Tigers (-8.5); o/u 149.5
4:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, December 21, 2024
Legacy Arena at BJCC, Birmingham, AL
TV: ESPN
Purdue vs. Auburn Public Betting Information
Our CBB Public Betting Information page indicates that 67% of public bettors are currently backing Purdue when it comes to the spread. This information is subject to change throughout the day, however, so be sure to check the link so you’re receiving the most up-to-date public betting data.
Purdue Boilermakers Game Notes
Boilermakers guard Braden Smith was excellent in his team’s 70-66 loss to Texas A&M last Saturday. The junior from Westfield, IN put up 15 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks in 38 minutes. Smith shot 5 of 11 from three-point range in the defeat.
Purdue guard Fletcher Loyer also played well in his team’s game on Saturday. The 6’5” junior recorded 12 points, 3 assists, and a steal. Loyer is second on the team in scoring with 13.5 points per game this year.
Auburn Tigers Game Notes
Tigers forward Johni Broome injured his shoulder early in the team’s December 17th game against Georgia State on Tuesday. Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl said that Broome avoided a serious injury and there was no damage to the affected area. Broome will travel with the team for the game in Birmingham, but his status is up in the air. Broome has been one of the best players in the country this season, averaging 18.1 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game while shooting 55.3% from the floor in 2024.
With Broome only playing 2 minutes in Auburn’s 100-59 win over Georgia State on Tuesday, Tigers forward Chaney Johnson stepped up in a big way. In 30 minutes off the bench, Johnson logged 26 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. He shot 12 of 14 from the field in the victory.
Purdue vs. Auburn CBB Betting Trends
Purdue is 1-3 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
The Boilermakers are 6-7-1 ATS when playing with the rest advantage since the start of last season.
Auburn is 10-4 ATS in neutral-site games since the start of last season.
Auburn is 28-13-1 ATS as a favorite since the beginning of last season.
Purdue vs. Auburn CBB Prediction:
It’s possible that Auburn will be without star big man Johni Broome for this neutral-site clash with Purdue in Birmingham on Saturday. The Tigers should have the firepower to make up for it. Aside from Broome, the Tigers have 5 other players averaging at least 10 points per game. Auburn leads the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency this year according to Kenpom.com. Additionally, the Tigers are ranked third nationally in average scoring margin this season at +23.5 points per game.
Auburn has covered 8 out of their last 10 games while being favorites in 8 of those contests. The Tigers are 22-13-1 ATS after a win and 15-9-1 ATS in non-conference games since the start of last season. This game will be played in Birmingham, Alabama, which is just over 2 hours away from Auburn’s campus by car. Purdue will likely have trouble keeping pace with the best offense in the nation on Saturday. For all of those reasons, I’m laying the points with Auburn in this one.