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South Carolina heads to Neville Arena for an SEC road test against Auburn on Saturday, January 17, 2026, with tip set for 6:00 PM ET on SECN. Auburn is a sizable home favorite at -11.5, while South Carolina comes in catching +11.5 with a +470 moneyline. The total is posted at 152.5, which is a bold number for a spread this large because it assumes South Carolina holds up its end offensively.
The matchup is basically Auburn’s pace and pressure at home versus South Carolina’s ability to score efficiently inside and keep the game from turning into an avalanche. If Auburn gets the game into a free-throw heavy, transition-friendly script, the favorite has a real chance to run away. If South Carolina can finish at the rim, control turnovers, and avoid foul trouble, the backdoor is very much on the table.
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South Carolina Gamecocks vs Auburn Tigers Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should always monitor updated college basketball odds leading into tipoff. For the latest college basketball odds, check the South Carolina vs Auburn odds page.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Gamecocks | +470 | +11.5 (-114) | O 152.5 |
| Auburn Tigers | -730 | -11.5 (-112) | U 152.5 |
South Carolina Gamecocks Betting Form
South Carolina is coming off a rough one against Arkansas, a 108-74 loss that got out of hand early and never really came back. Still, Meechie Johnson’s 29 points and six assists matter going into this matchup because it shows they can create offense even when the game is going sideways. The bigger issue is what happens when South Carolina has to defend for multiple stops in a row. If they can’t string stops together, covers get tough, especially against a home favorite that can pile on runs.
From a matchup standpoint, South Carolina’s offensive efficiency inside the arc is the hook. A 59.7% two-point shooting rate is the kind of number that can keep an underdog alive even when the perimeter isn’t perfect. They also shoot 78.7% at the line, which is important if this game turns into a free-throw contest late. The problem is that Auburn is one of those teams that can force you to play faster than you want. If South Carolina is turning it over or taking quick, low-quality shots, Auburn will be off and running.
For more season context and results, South Carolina stats and results are a quick way to track their scoring profile and game-to-game volatility.
Auburn Tigers Betting Form
Auburn is coming off an 84-74 loss at Missouri, but the home form is what matters most in this spot. Neville Arena has been a real advantage, and Auburn’s style tends to look sharper there. They play with more energy, they get downhill more often, and they’re more likely to turn a close game into a double-digit game when the opponent’s guard play slips for even a couple minutes.
Offensively, Auburn’s numbers are built for laying points. They’re averaging 86.7 points per game, and they generate a ton of scoring at the line, making 20.2 free throws per game. That’s a big deal for spread bettors because free throws are how favorites cover. It also matters for the total, because a whistle-heavy game can land Over even if the pace isn’t completely wild. The key for Auburn is shot quality early. If they’re settling for quick threes without paint touches, the door stays open for South Carolina to hang around.
South Carolina Gamecocks vs Auburn Tigers Matchup Breakdown
This game is about Auburn’s ability to speed it up and South Carolina’s ability to keep possessions clean. South Carolina’s best offensive edge is finishing inside, but that only matters if they get organized half-court looks. Auburn wants the opposite. Pressure the ball, force rushed decisions, and turn those into transition points or early-clock free throws.
The foul and free-throw angle matters a lot. Auburn already lives at the line, and South Carolina’s best chance to stay competitive is avoiding foul trouble while still contesting without giving up straight-line drives. That’s hard to do for 40 minutes in this building. On the other side, South Carolina’s free-throw shooting is a plus for a big underdog. If they’re down 12 to 16 late, a few trips to the line can create the classic late cover even if Auburn is in control.
The total at 152.5 is aggressive with an 11.5-point spread because it implies both teams score. Auburn can do its part, but South Carolina needs to keep scoring efficiently in the half court. If Auburn’s defense forces South Carolina into low-quality threes and empty possessions, this can land Under even with Auburn in the 80s.
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South Carolina Gamecocks vs Auburn Tigers Predictions and Best Bets
My lean is Auburn -11.5. Auburn’s offense at home is built to create separation, and the free-throw volume is the type of edge that covers big numbers. South Carolina can score, but the Arkansas game is a reminder of what happens when they can’t get stops and the opponent keeps pushing pace. Auburn is comfortable playing that kind of game, and South Carolina isn’t.
For the total, I lean Over 152.5, but it’s more conditional than the side. The Over needs South Carolina to contribute something like a functional offensive night, not a great one, just functional. If South Carolina is finishing inside and hitting free throws, Auburn can drag this over by itself through pace and trips to the line. If South Carolina goes cold and Auburn doesn’t need to keep scoring late, the Over is the risk.
Best Bet: Auburn -11.5 (-112).
NCAAB Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
SEC games draw attention, but the real edge is still price and matchup fit. Big spreads are all about possessions: turnovers, offensive rebounds, and free throws. Those are the swings that decide whether a favorite wins by eight or wins by 18, and that’s where most bettors get burned when they only handicap “who’s better.”
If you want more angles across the slate, today’s college basketball picks are a solid way to compare sides and totals without forcing action on one game. And if you’re tightening your process around pace, foul rates, and how late-game situations affect both spreads and totals, the sports betting strategy guide is a useful reference point.
