Auburn vs. Jacksonville State: NCAA Tournament odds, final score predictions from ESPN, KenPom

275133747_4796292347117549_592518599057046758_nby:Jonathan Wagner•03/18/22•

Jonathan Wagner

March Madness is fully underway, and the first day of NCAA Tournament round one action did not disappoint with plenty of upsets. Here is everything you need to know for Friday’s Midwest Region matchup between second-seeded Auburn and 15th-seeded Jacksonville State, including how to watch, odds, and final score predictions from ESPN and KenPom.

How to watch Auburn vs. Jacksonville State

Tip: 12:40 p.m. ET

Location: Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville, SC

Network: TruTV

Odds

Auburn is a 15.5-point favorite in Friday’s matchup, according to odds from Vegas Insider.

Spread: Auburn -15.5, -110, Jacksonville State +15.5, -110

Total: Over/Under 137.5 points, -110

ESPN predictions

Auburn is a heavy favorite, according to the ESPN College Basketball Power Index (BPI) predictions. The Tigers are expected to cruise to a large victory on Friday. Auburn has a win probability of 93.5%.

Predicted winner: Auburn

Predicted point differential: 17.4 points

KenPom predictions

Like ESPN, KenPom expects Auburn to cruise to a victory to open its NCAA Tournament play. KenPom gives the Tigers a 91% win probability.

Predicted winner: Auburn

Predicted final score: Auburn 77 – Jacksonville State 62

Auburn is looking to avoid being the second two seed to fall in the NCAA Tournament

On Thursday, Kentucky, the second seed in the East Region, lost to 15th-seeded Saint Peter’s. Overall, multiple lower seeded teams came out victorious on the opening day of the Round of 64. When Auburn begins play against Jacksonville State on Friday, the Tigers will be looking to avoid an early upset.

Auburn lost in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals against Texas A&M, a much earlier exit than the Tigers were hoping for. The Tigers have lost four of their last nine games, but an opening round victory over Jacksonville State would be a nice reset for Auburn.

Jacksonville State actually lost in the Atlantic Sun Tournament semifinals to Jacksonville. Bellarmine went on to win the tournament, but it was the Gamecocks that received the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.