Auburn vs Alabama State predictions, picks for 2025 men's NCAA Tournament
It's Auburn vs Alabama State in the 2025 NCAA Tournament first round. See our expert picks and predictions for the March Madness bracket, along with betting odds and game time.
Editor's note: Follow Men's March Madness live scores and updates for Thursday's first-round games.
The 2025 NCAA Tournament is here, folks.
Thursday's first-round action in the South Region features a matchup between Auburn and Alabama State.
The Auburn Tigers finished the 2024-25 season with a 28-5 record, good for first in the SEC. That earned them the No. 1 overall seed in the 2025 March Madness bracket. Their opponent, the Alabama State Hornets, finished fourth in the Southwest Atlantic with a 20-15 record and a conference tournament win earned them a No. 16 seed in the Big Dance. They had to defeat the St. Francis Red Flash in the First Four before earning the right to play Auburn.
Auburn ranks as the fourth-best team in the KenPom rankings, sporting the second-best offense and 12th-best defense. Meanwhile, Alabama State ranks 273rd overall, possessing the 270th-ranked offense and 256th-ranked defense.
Here's how our experts see Thursday's Round of 64 clash playing out. Be sure to check out Paste BN's complete March Madness bracket predictions to see our team's picks for every game. While you're at it, don't forget to read our tournament bold predictions and upset picks.
Without further ado, here are our Auburn vs. Alabama State picks and predictions.
Auburn vs. Alabama State picks and predictions
- Jordan Mendoza: Auburn
- Paul Myerberg: Auburn
- Erick Smith: Auburn
- Eddie Timanus: Auburn
- Dan Wolken: Auburn
- Craig Meyer: Auburn 94, Alabama State 61
- Adam Cole: Auburn 95, Alabama State 68
It's a clean sweep. None of our experts have this contest turning into an upset. Craig Meyer is backing Auburn to cover the 32.5-point spread, while Montgomery Advertiser's Adam Cole is on Alabama State. Both of them have the game going over the 149.5-point total.
Auburn vs. Alabama State date, start time, how to watch
- Game Day: Thursday, March 20, 2025
- Game Time: 2:50 p.m. ET
- Location: Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky
- TV Channel: CBS
- Live Stream: Fubo - Watch Now!
Watch Auburn vs. Alabama State on Fubo
Auburn vs. Alabama State odds
Odds as of Wednesday, March 19 via BetMGM.
- Spread: Auburn -32.5 (-105)
- Moneyline Favorite: N/A
- Moneyline Underdog: N/A
- Total: 149.5
March Madness game-by-game predictions for Thursday
- Creighton vs Louisville prediction, picks
- High Point vs Purdue prediction, picks
- Montana vs Wisconsin prediction, picks
- SIU Edwardsville vs Houston prediction, picks
- Alabama St. vs Auburn prediction, picks
- McNeese vs. Clemson prediction, picks
- VCU vs BYU prediction, picks
- Georgia vs Gonzaga prediction, picks
- Wofford vs Tennessee prediction, picks
- Arkansas vs Kansas prediction, picks
- Yale vs Texas A&M prediction, picks
- Drake vs Missouri prediction, picks
- Utah St. vs UCLA prediction, picks
- Nebraska Omaha vs St. John's prediction, picks
- UCSD vs Michigan prediction, picks
- N.C. Wilmington vs Texas Tech prediction, pick
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Paste BN Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.