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2024-25 Auburn Tigers Basketball Predictions and Odds to Win the National Championship

by Ryan Cobbett - 10/26/2024

Auburn Tigers basketball predictions Johni Broome

The Auburn Tigers had one of the best regular seasons in the country last season, where they went 24-7 overall and 13-5 in conference play. They started the season 5-2, but then they elevated their play, winning 11 straight games. The Tigers finished the regular season winning four of their last five games, with their lone loss coming on the road to #4 Tennessee. They took that momentum into the conference tournament, where they stormed their way through the bracket and claimed the conference crown. Over the course of their three conference tournament games, Auburn went 3-0 with a +57-point differential. After winning the Southeastern Conference Tournament, they earned a 4-Seed in the Big Dance and were matched up with 12-Seed Yale. Unfortunately for Auburn, their momentum and season ended here as they were upset by the Bulldogs.

On paper, Auburn was one of the best teams in the country playing complimentary basketball on both ends of the court. They ranked fourth in the conference in PPG while also ranking third in the conference in PPG allowed. The Tigers shot 47.6% as a team, which was tied for the second-best mark in the conference, while their opponents shot just 38.6%, which was the lowest mark in the Southeastern Conference and second in the nation to only Houston. Their +8.2 APG differential was the second-best mark in the country, behind UConn. Johni Broome led Auburn with 16.5 PPG and 8.5 RPG. He also averaged 2.2 BPG which put Broome in the Top 20 in the nation. Behind him was Jaylin Williams (12.4 PPG) and Chad Baker-Mazara (10 PPG) as the only other Tigers to average double-digit points.

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Auburn Tigers Basketball Key Additions/Losses

After a first-round elimination, the Tigers made some moves to reshape the roster. First and foremost, they lost their second leading scorer in Williams as he is now in the NBA. In addition to Williams, guards Aden Holloway (Alabama), Tre Donaldson (Michigan), and K.D. Johnson (George Mason) all transferred out of the program. Holloway was the leading scorer among the transfer trio as he averaged 7.3 PPG in 20.2 MPG. Johnson averaged 7.1 PPG and Donaldson averaged 6.7 PPG both off the bench.

The Tigers brought in three transfers during the offseason. Their best addition is senior guard JP Pegues. Pegues averaged 18.4 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 4.8 APG and he shot 87.5% from the free-throw line. Miles Kelly is another transfer guard that is joining the new Auburn squad. He is coming over from Georgia Tech after averaging 13.9 PPG and 5.5 RPG last season for the Yellow Jackets. Rounding out the transfer class is forward Ja’Heim Hudson, who is dressing for his third team in his college career. Hudson started one game last season at SMU, where he averaged 5.4 PPG while shooting 43.3% from the floor. In addition to the transfer trio, they brought in two four-star guards from the high school ranks. Tahaad Pettiford (29th nationally) and Jahki Howard (61st nationally) will give the Tigers some backcourt depth.

Auburn Tigers Basketball X-Factors

The Schedule Away from Home- The Auburn Tigers schedule is tough; they are in the Southeastern Conference. However, between their nonconference games and the road conference schedule, the Tigers might have the toughest schedule in the country. Their second game of the year is against #4 Houston, and then they head to the Maui Invitational, where they open up with #5 Iowa State and could potentially play #9 UNC if both squads win their opening round game and potentially #3 UConn. If that wasn’t a tough enough start, they follow up the Maui Invitational with a true road game at #7 Duke. The rest of their nonconference includes neutral site games against #14 Purdue and Ohio State. Then the conference schedule begins. The Tigers have road games against #19 Texas, #24 Ole Miss, #2 Alabama, #23 Kentucky, and #13 Texas A&M. That is a lot for a Tigers team implementing two new starters.

Auburn Tigers Basketball Notable Games

Home- #12 Tennessee, #21 Florida, #16 Arkansas, #24 Ole Miss, #2 Alabama

Away/Neutral- #4 Houston, #5 Iowa State, #7 Duke, #14 Purdue, #19 Texas, #24 Ole Miss, #2 Alabama, #23 Kentucky, #13 Texas A&M

Auburn Tigers Basketball Key Odds:

NCAA Champion: +2000

Final Four: +420

Conference Winner: +220

Wooden Award: Johni Broome- +1600

Wooden Award: Denver Jones- +14000

AP Top 25- 11th

Andy Katz’s Power 37- 15th

KenPom- 3rd

Auburn Tigers Basketball Predictions

Similarly to the Tennessee Volunteers, I think Auburn is a tad overrated. They played great defense last season, but they lacked a true offensive minded guy. Broome returning to college was huge for the Tigers, but the scoring depth on this team is questionable. Pegues could come in and raise the ceiling, but he has only played at Furman, and it remains to be seen whether or not that scoring ability will remain the same against the tougher competition. Kelly has the potential to be an impact shooter, as he shot 37.9% from deep in the 2022-23 season, but he took a step back last season. If their defense can replicate their success from last season, they will be in the mix. However, they went just 5-5 away from home last season, and their schedule away from home is tough. With all that being said, the Tigers rarely lack consistency, and they will be a top team in the conference and will have the potential to be a 2 or 3-Seed in the Big Dance in March.

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