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2022 NCAA Tournament Game Today: Auburn vs Jacksonville State Line, Predictions, Odds, TV Channel & Live Stream for NCAA Tournament

By Matt Melton

TAMPA, FLORIDA - MARCH 11: Head coach Bruce Pearl of the Auburn Tigers talks with Jabari Smith #10, Walker Kessler #13, Michael Whitmore #31 and Wendell Green Jr. #1 during a break in play in the second half of the Quarterfinal game against the Texas A&M Aggies of the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Amalie Arena on March 11, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - MARCH 11: Head coach Bruce Pearl of the Auburn Tigers talks with Jabari Smith #10, Walker Kessler #13, Michael Whitmore #31 and Wendell Green Jr. #1 during a break in play in the second half of the Quarterfinal game against the Texas A&M Aggies of the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Amalie Arena on March 11, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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An intriguing in-state matchup for SEC regular season champion Auburn, the Tigers take on ASUN regular season champion Jacksonville State in the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament.

As mentioned previously, Auburn enters the NCAA Tournament as the outright SEC regular season champion, having finished the regular season with a 15-3 record in conference play, as well as 27-5 overall. One of four two-seeds in the 2022 NCAA Tournament, the Tigers were a candidate to receive a one-seed entering last week’s SEC Tournament, but saw those chances disappear when they were upset by Texas A&M 67-62.

While the Tigers have struggled at times in recent weeks, Auburn is undoubtedly one of the most-dangerous teams in the NCAA Tournament averaging 78.7 PPG offensively (No. 26 nationally), as well as the nation’s No. 8 team in defensive efficiency according to KenPom allowing 67 PPG to opponents. Led by the SEC Freshman of the Year Jabari Smith and Defensive Player of the Year Walker Kessler, the Tigers also have two other double-digit scorers in guards KD Johnson and Wendell Green Jr, as well as other impact players such as Allen Flanigan, Zep Jasper, and Devan Cambridge.

Despite not winning their conference tournament however, Jacksonville State got the automatic bid as the ASUN regular season champion due to Bellarmine being ineligible for the postseason. Owning a 21-10 record for the year, the 15-seed Gamecocks finished the regular season atop the ASUN West at 13-3, and averaged 73.9 PPG for the year while shooting an impressive 38.8% from three-point range.

Headlining that group offensively for Jacksonville State are four impact scoring guards in Darian Adams, Demaree King, Jalen Gibbs, and Jalen Finch, each of which average 8+ PPG and shoot 37+% from three. Leading the Gamecocks frontcourt is the duo of Kayne Henry and Brandon Huffman, while Maros Zeliznak, Juwan Perdue, and Jay Pal will all likely see time.

Auburn vs Jacksonville State Odds: Line, Spread, Over/Under

The line, spread, and over/under for Auburn vs Jacksonville State can be found here.

Auburn vs Jacksonville State 2022 NCAA Tournament Prediction

While Jacksonville State does has the pieces to potentially give the Tigers trouble at times, in particular with their three-part shooting, this is certainly a game that Auburn should win. Expect the Tigers to dominate inside, and for Auburn to pull away in the second half to win by at-least 10+ points. Prediction: Auburn 76, Jacksonville State 62

What channel is the Auburn vs Jacksonville State Game On?

Played in Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC, Auburn vs Jacksonville State will tipoff on Friday, March 18 at 12:40 pm ET. The game will be available on TruTV.

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Auburn vs Jacksonville State Live Stream

A live stream of Auburn vs Jacksonville State on fuboTV can be found here.

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