No. 7 Alabama makes the trip across the state to take on No. 1 Auburn in the rematch of this February's famed No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown. Can the Crimson Tide pull off the big upset of the top-ranked team or will the Tigers complete the season sweep of Alabama?
Here's what some of our sports staff has to say about the clash between the Tigers and Tide, complete with score predictions and analysis.
Patrick Bingham, Sports Editor: Auburn 93-79
"Simply put, it's a good matchup for Auburn. Alabama is built to out physical teams like Florida and Texas A&M are. It appears as though Denver Jones is good to go and that's not good news for the Crimson Tide's 3-point shooters. The Tigers just aren't going to lose in this atmosphere to this team."
Logan Fowler, Sports Reporter: Auburn 88-82
"Auburn will aim for its third season sweep of Alabama in the past seven seasons on Saturday. Both team's are coming off losses and looking to build momentum ahead of next week's SEC Tournament, where the Tigers have already secured the No. 1 seed.
"Auburn is looking to change the narrative after getting punched in the mouth in its loss to Texas A&M on Tuesday, when it gave up 24 offensive rebounds. Alabama boasts the best rebounding team in the nation with 43.4 per game, including 13.3 on the offensive glass. For an Auburn squad missing Denver Jones' presence, who's status is still up in the air, controlling the boards and getting a bounce-back performance from Johni Broome after back-to-back subpar showings will be key in securing the win."
Gunner Norene, Sports Writer: Auburn 98-88
"Similar to Auburn's 94-85 victory in Tuscaloosa a few weeks ago, No. 1 Auburn is once again seeking history on Saturday. A win over No. 7 Alabama would lift the Tigers to 28 wins, making this squad the winningest regular season team in program history. A regular season sweep of the Crimson Tide would also mark Auburn's 16th SEC win, which would set a new record as well. The Tigers haven't swept Alabama since the 2021-22 campaign with Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler.
"Both teams are coming off losses in the midweek with Auburn dropping its first conference road game at Texas A&M and Florida defeating Alabama inside Coleman Coliseum. The Tigers have already clinched the SEC regular season title outright, but that doesn't mean Alabama won't be hungry. Mark Sears, Aden Holloway and the Crimson Tide will be looking for revenge in Holloway's first game back at Neville Arena since transferring to Alabama last offseason.
"Denver Jones played a prominent role in February's showdown in Tuscaloosa, but his health status is still up in the air. However, considering this is Auburn's senior night and Johni Broome's last game at Neville, I think the Tigers will come out firing on all cylinders. They need to control the pace of the game and play the way that has made them so successful all season."
Rory Garvin, Sports Writer: Auburn 87-79
"Auburn students have been camping out since Wednesday night in anticipation for the Iron Bowl of basketball rematch. The Crimson Tide are looking to come into Neville Arena and spoil the Tigers party, however this game will be a sequel with the same ending as the February meeting.
"The stars will be the key in this matchup. Mark Sears is entering Saturday’s contest on fire. Sears has scored more than 30 points in three of his last five games. The last time Sears did not score more than 20 points was in the Tide’s loss to Auburn. Bruce Pearl’s defensive unit will replicate their performance and shut down Sears once again. National Player of the Year candidate Johni Broome is coming off two rough performances in a row. Broome recorded eight and nine points against Texas A&M and Kentucky respectively.
"Not many teams have been able to contain Broome this season so it will be tough for Alabama to keep Broome at bay for a third consecutive game. I believe that Broome and the other nine Auburn seniors will rise to the occasion in their last home game wearing the orange and blue to lead the No. 1 team in the land to victory and become the winningest regular-season team in the history of Auburn basketball."
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