An SEC Showdown for a championship berth
Our window to bet on basketball is waning with every minute that passes. After two games today we’re down to one game remaining this tournament. So we have to get while the getting is good. Today’s Final Four matchups will give us our national championship matchup and which top seeds will duke it out for the title. The conversation about the Final Four so far has been that it’s all chalk and the tournament as a whole has been less than its usual nail biter exciting self. But here we are at the end with arguably the four best teams not just by seed but also by performance through the year. Great teams playing other great teams can yield some pretty phenomenal games. Let’s hope that holds with our double header today to decide who remains for Monday’s championship tilt.
Your breakdown of the early Final Four matchup:
Auburn vs Florida
Tip Time: 6:09PM
Location: Alamodome, San Antonio, TX
Television: CBS
Storylines:
- Will Johni Broome be 100%? Auburn’s star big man suffered a hyperextended elbow in the Elite Eight against Michigan State but is expected to play. His effectiveness or lack thereof could be a game-changer for the Auburn Tigers.
- Is this a repeat event? The Gators beat Auburn 90-81 in their regular-season meeting, despite missing key player Elijah Martin. Now that Martin is back, Florida enters the rematch at full strength and red hot.
- Florida’s Todd Golden was an assistant under Auburn’s Bruce Pearl from 2014-2015. Now, they face off as two of the top coaches in college basketball. It’s an age old teacher versus student match up.
- Bruce Pearl is known for firing up his team, and Auburn has been playing slightly better than Florida in the tournament so far. Can they keep that high level or will there be a drop off? The difference may be an extended hotel stay or a trip home tonight.
- Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr. has been dominant, averaging 22.3 points per gamein the tournament. His clutch shooting helped send Florida to the Final Four. If Auburn can defend and limit opportunities then they are in good shape. If a shoot out breaks out, look out.
Belt Bets:
Line: Auburn +3.5
O/U: Under 158.5
Prop of the Game: Johni Broome (AUB) under 11.5 rebounds
Per usual don’t bet what you can’t afford to lose. Entertainment purposes only. Yadda yadda yadda.