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Game Preview: Chattanooga @ Auburn
Holiday Hoopsgiving returns to Atlanta on Saturday afternoon with No. 21 Auburn looking to reset when it faces the Chattanooga Mocs at State Farm Arena. The Auburn Tigers arrive battle-tested after one of the toughest early schedules in the country, while Chattanooga views the neutral-site matchup as a rare opportunity to secure a program-defining win. Auburn opened as a double-digit favorite, with the spread landing in the mid-teens and the total set in the high-140s. With both teams playing at elevated tempos and the Tigers eager to respond after a lopsided loss, this matchup draws attention from bettors tracking nonconference angles across the broader college basketball slate covered at ScoresAndStats.
Smart Bets for Smart Bracket Minds
Backed by data and trends
Odds and Key Information
Auburn opened around a 15-point favorite and the market has shown modest support for the Tigers, with the line holding firm despite their recent loss. The moneyline remains heavily shaded toward Auburn, while the total has ticked slightly upward based on Chattanooga’s recent shooting output. Public bettors appear comfortable backing Auburn’s talent edge, while sharper money has shown interest in the total due to pace and shot volume. One key analytical note is Auburn’s interior vulnerability exposed against Arizona, contrasted with Chattanooga’s perimeter-oriented offense. Bruce Pearl acknowledged the physical gap against elite frontcourts, while Chattanooga coach Dan Earl emphasized ball movement and defensive communication as foundational goals entering a step-up matchup.
Auburn Outlook
Auburn sits at 7-3 and has already faced four top-15 opponents, an early gauntlet that has revealed both upside and flaws. Offensively, the Tigers are anchored by Keyshawn Hall, who leads the team with 20.8 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, providing consistent interior scoring and second-chance opportunities. Tahaad Pettiford has emerged as a dynamic perimeter option, averaging 15.7 points per game and leading the team in scoring in four of the last five outings. While his season-long three-point efficiency remains below 30 percent, his 5-for-9 performance from deep against Arizona suggests positive regression. Defensively, Auburn’s perimeter pressure has been solid, but interior rotations and rebounding remain concerns. Against Chattanooga, Auburn’s depth, athleticism, and transition offense should dictate tempo if the Tigers establish physicality early.
Chattanooga Outlook
Chattanooga enters at 5-5 and understands the magnitude of facing a ranked opponent on a neutral floor. The Mocs are an offense-first team that thrives on ball movement and three-point volume, as evidenced by their 21 made triples in a blowout win over Oakwood. Jordan Frison leads the offense at 12.8 points per game while also facilitating at 3.8 assists, giving Chattanooga a steady creator against pressure. Teddy Washington Jr. adds secondary scoring at 10.6 points per game, and the Mocs’ willingness to share the ball has been a consistent theme under Dan Earl. Defensively, Chattanooga will need to limit Auburn’s transition chances and avoid foul trouble, as matching Auburn’s physicality in the paint over 40 minutes is a tall order.
Key Matchup Table
| Key Factor | Advantage |
|---|---|
| Frontcourt Scoring | Auburn |
| Three-Point Volume | Chattanooga |
| Athleticism | Auburn |
| Ball Movement | Chattanooga |
| Depth | Auburn |
Betting Trends
Auburn has been inconsistent against the spread due to its demanding schedule, but has covered in favorable matchups against mid-major opponents. Tigers games have leaned over the total when Auburn controls tempo and generates transition scoring. Chattanooga has been competitive as an underdog but has struggled to cover against high-major opponents with significant size advantages. Neutral-site games for the Mocs have trended higher scoring due to pace and perimeter emphasis. Bettors monitoring matchup data and market movement can follow updated numbers through the college basketball scores and odds page. For broader team context and statistical profiles, the NCAAB teams hub provides additional insight.
The Lean
This matchup profiles as a classic Holiday Hoopsgiving contrast between a high-major team seeking a corrective performance and a mid-major looking to capitalize on shooting variance. Expect Auburn to emphasize paint touches and rebounding after being exposed inside last week, while Chattanooga leans heavily on perimeter spacing and ball movement. Auburn’s defensive lapses are concerning, but the athletic gap and depth advantage should show over extended minutes. Chattanooga can hang around if the threes fall, but sustaining efficiency against Auburn’s pressure is difficult. From a betting standpoint, Auburn is positioned to cover if it controls the glass, while the total leans slightly over due to pace and shot volume. Additional nonconference analysis can be found through the college basketball previews section.
Projected Final Score
Auburn 84, Chattanooga 68
Best Spread Pick
Auburn -15
Total Lean
Over 148
Why You Need Expert Picks
Nonconference neutral-site games often create inefficiencies in the betting market, especially when recent blowouts skew perception. Expert projections help identify when talent edges outweigh short-term variance. The ScoresAndStats college basketball picks leaderboard highlights proven handicappers who consistently uncover value across the season. These analysts factor in matchup-specific elements such as rebounding edges, pace control, and situational motivation that casual bettors may overlook. As schedules intensify and tournament-style environments continue, leveraging expert insight becomes increasingly valuable. Bettors can further sharpen their approach by exploring strategy content and market education available through the ScoresAndStats expert betting guide, a comprehensive resource for navigating spreads, totals, and nonconference opportunities throughout the college basketball calendar.
