Feb 8, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard mark Sears (1) drives against Arkansas Razorbacks forward Billy Richmond III (24) during the second half at Bud Walton Arena. Alabama won 85-81. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images The Tigers are 21-2 after losing to then-No. 6 Florida 90-81 on Saturday. The Crimson Tide are 20-3 with six straight victories. The basketball programs—Bruce Pearl for Auburn, Nate Oats for Alabama—currently have better head coaches than the football programs (Hugh Freeze of Auburn, Kalen DeBoer of Alabama).
Kevin Durant returns to the court Tuesday to take aim at the 30,000-point mark. Durant needs 26 points to get there as the sputtering Phoenix Suns host the Memphis Grizzlies. Ja Morant and his mates are second in the Western Conference.
We will discuss the Suns’ chances of beating the Grizzlies while also studying the two Southeastern Conference powers. Auburn visits Vanderbilt and Alabama is at Texas.
AUBURN TIGERS AT VANDERBILT COMMODORES
Auburn had won 14 consecutive games before falling to the Gators but remained atop the poll by nine points, mainly because it received 34 first-place votes to Alabama’s 23. The Tigers’ defense disappointed against Florida as Auburn gave up a season-worst points in the 90-81 setback.
National Player of the Year candidate Johni Broome had 18 points and 11 rebounds to notch his 14th double-double of the season. Miles Kelly scored a season-best 22 against Florida after tallying in single digits in two of the previous four games.
Vanderbilt started 13-1 before dropping five of its next eight games. The Commodores trailed Texas by 10 points in the second half on Saturday before rallying for an 86-78 triumph. Jaylen Carey recorded career bests of 18 points and 14 rebounds.
Vanderbilt is 12-1 at home, so Auburn might find itself in a close game. But count on the Tigers to pull away in the second half.
Auburn -9, -108 (DraftKings)
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