Florida and Auburn meet on Saturday, April 5 at the Alamodome in San Antonio for a spot in the national championship. The game tips off at 6:09 PM ET and features two of the SEC’s top teams. Florida enters at 34-4, while Auburn sits at 32-5.
This is a rematch from February 8, when Florida beat Auburn 90-81 on the road. Both teams are led by coaches who have worked together in the past, with Todd Golden coaching Florida and Bruce Pearl leading Auburn. This is their first NCAA Final Four meeting.
Florida Preview – Offense Has Been Carrying the Load
Florida enters this matchup with one of the best offenses in the country. The Gators are scoring 85.4 points per game and shoot nearly 47.3% from the field. They also make 9.9 three-pointers per game while hitting 35.7% of their attempts from deep.
Walter Clayton Jr. is the team’s top scorer at 18.1 points per game. He also had a big performance in the win over Texas Tech, scoring 30 points. Will Richard and Alex Condon provide key support, combining for around 20 points per game, while freshman center Rueben Chinyelu brings size and rebounding off the bench.
On defense, the Gators give up 69.2 points per game and hold opponents to 40.6% shooting. They’re solid on the glass with 39.1 rebounds per game and rank top-10 nationally in offensive rebounding. They’ve also hit the over in 11 straight games and are 27-11 against the spread this season.
Auburn Preview – Defense and Rebounding Leading the Way
Auburn comes in after winning the SEC and posting a 32-5 record. They are strong on both ends but especially on defense, where they hold teams to 40.6% shooting and only 29.6% from three-point range. Auburn also grabs 39.1 rebounds per game and limits second-chance points.
Johni Broome leads the way with 18.7 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. He is also a shot-blocking presence with 2.1 blocks per contest. In the win over Michigan State, Broome posted 25 points and 14 boards despite a sore elbow. Dylan Cardwell adds more inside presence, and Denver Jones contributes on the wing.
The Tigers also share the ball well, with 15.7 assists per game and a top-30 assist-to-turnover ratio. They’ve hit the moneyline in 32 of their last 37 games and have covered the spread in each of their last three. They’re also 13-2 at home and 8-2 on the road this season.
Betting Prediction
Florida is a 2.5-point favorite, with the total set at 159.5. The Gators won the regular season meeting by 9 points and have more consistent scoring. Clayton and Richard give them the edge on the perimeter, especially if Broome is not at full strength.
Both teams are solid bets on the moneyline, but Florida’s offense and recent trend of hitting overs stands out. Auburn will need a big game on the glass to slow the pace. Final score prediction: Florida 84, Auburn 77. Florida covers the spread and the total goes over.
Pick: Florida Gators -2.5 over Auburn Tigers in the first game of the 2025 Men’s Final Four. We expect a great game between these two rivals. The winner gets Duke or Houston.
