Tennessee vs. Auburn odds, score prediction, time: 2024 college basketball picks for Feb. 28 by proven model

Teams looking for a strong finish to the SEC season battle when the No. 11-ranked Auburn Tigers take on the No. 4-ranked Tennessee Volunteers on Wednesday. The Tigers (21-6, 10-4 SEC), who are one of four teams within one game of first place, are looking for their second regular-season league title in the past three years and third since 2017-18. The Volunteers (21-6, 11-3 SEC), who are tied with No. 14 Alabama for first in the SEC, are seeking at least a share of their first regular season conference championship since 2017-18. This is the only regular-season meeting between the teams.

The game will tip off at 7 p.m. ET at Food City Center in Knoxville, Tenn. Auburn is averaging 82.7 points per game, while Tennessee averages 80.3. The Volunteers are 7.5-point favorites in the latest Auburn vs. Tennessee odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 151.5. Before making any Tennessee vs. Auburn picks, you need to see the college basketball predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. It enters Week 17 of the 2023-24 season on a 139-94 roll on all top-rated college basketball picks dating back to last season, returning nearly $2,300 for $100 players. It also is off to a sizzling 25-14 start on top-rated spread picks this season. Anyone following has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Auburn vs. Tennessee and revealed its CBB picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several college basketball odds and trends for Tennessee vs. Auburn:

• Auburn vs. Tennessee spread: Tennessee -7.5
• Auburn vs. Tennessee over/under: 151.5 points
• Auburn vs. Tennessee money line: Auburn +258, Tennessee -322
• AUB: The Tigers have covered the spread in 20 of their last 32 games (+7.90 units)
• TENN: The Volunteers have hit the game total under in 13 of their last 20 games at home (+5.35 units)
• Auburn vs. Tennessee picks: See picks at SportsLine

Why Tennessee can cover

Junior guard Zakai Zeigler is one of three Volunteers averaging double-digit scoring. In 27 games, including 21 starts, he is averaging 10.9 points, 5.8 assists, 2.7 rebounds and two steals in 30 minutes of play. Although he had just nine points in the win over Texas A&M on Saturday, he dished out 14 assists and grabbed nine rebounds, falling just short of a triple-double. He has two double-doubles on the year, including a 26-point and 13-assist effort in a 103-92 win over Kentucky on Feb. 3.

Fifth-year senior guard Josiah-Jordan James has reached double-digit scoring 11 times, and has registered a pair of double-doubles. In a 73-56 win over Syracuse on Nov. 20, he poured in 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. He had 10 points and 10 boards in a 65-46 win over Tarleton State on Dec. 21. In 27 starts, he is averaging nine points, six rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.3 steals in 28.5 minutes. See which team to pick here. 

Why Auburn can cover

Junior forward Johni Broome is having a monster season for the Tigers and has put together back-to-back games with double-doubles. He scored 16 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in a 97-76 win over Georgia on Saturday. A week earlier in a 70-59 loss to Kentucky, he scored 14 points, while grabbing 11 boards. He has 11 double-doubles on the season. In 27 games, including 26 starts, Broome is averaging 16.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, 1.9 assists and one steal in 24.5 minutes of action.

Senior forward Jaylin Williams, the team's second-leading scorer, suffered a knee injury against Kentucky on Feb. 17, and is a game-time decision. If he can't go, look for junior guard Chad Baker-Mazara to continue to step up his game. Despite just one start in 27 games, he is averaging 10.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and one steal in 21.2 minutes of action. He is coming off a 25-point, five rebounds and four assists in the big win over Georgia. See which team to pick here.

How to make Auburn vs. Tennessee picks

SportsLine's model is leaning Under on the total, projecting 146 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time. You can see the picks at SportsLine.