Sweet 16: Can Michigan Cover vs. No. 1 Auburn?

• Odds have an 8.5-point spread set in favor of Auburn over Michigan.
• Michigan has covered the spread in five straight games.

ATLANTA – The number one overall seeded Auburn Tigers hit the floor in Atlanta for a matchup in the Sweet 16 against the #5 Michigan Wolverines in a matchup that has the potential to be their toughest yet in the tournament.

Going into the game, legal sports betting sites are looking at Auburn as an 8.5-point favorite over Michigan. However, Michigan matches up well against the number one seed and bettors should not take that lightly.

#5 Michigan Vs. #1 Auburn

• Moneyline: Michigan (+320) vs. Auburn (-430)
• Spread: Auburn -8.5
• Total: 154

Michigan Big Men Help Keep Things Close Vs. Auburn

Auburn is in store for arguably their toughest matchup over their last five games in the Sweet 16 against Michigan. This comes as Michigan has a pair of 7-foot+ big men in Danny Wolf and Vladislav Goldin who both match up well with Auburn’s leading big man, Johni Broome.

This matchup is going to rely on the glass and Michigan has the advantage with both Wolf and Goldin combining for nearly 17 rpg while Broome puts up 10+ rpg.

Big man matchup aside, Michigan has gotten hot in tournament season against the spread on college basketball betting sites while Auburn slowed down on that side of things.

Since the start of the Big 10 tournament, Michigan has gone 5-0 outright and against the spread. Four of those games came as an underdog on the spread as well. As for Auburn since the start of the SEC tournament, they are 3-1 overall, however, 1-3 against the spread.

While this has been a very chalky tournament with higher seeded teams coming out on top often, there have been some closely kept matchups which should lead to bettors leaning on Michigan with the points.

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