It’s the biggest basketball game in the state of Alabama's history, and college basketball betting fans will be very interested in it when Alabama hosts Auburn Saturday afternoon in Tuscaloosa.

The Tide made their first Final Four last season, and it looks like they’ve got a great chance at a return trip this season. Meanwhile, the Tigers made their first Final Four in 2019, and it also looks like they’ve got a great chance at another one this season.

In addition, these teams enter Saturday as the No. 1 and 2 teams in the two major polls.

How are we playing this game with our free college basketball betting pick?

NCAAB Betting Odds

The CBB betting market opened Alabama at -1.5 for Saturday, with an over/under of right around 172. Early betting action bumped the Tide to -2.5.

Auburn Betting Preview

The Tigers just bounced back from a loss to Florida last weekend to win at Vanderbilt Tuesday night 80-68. Auburn, favored at -9, scored the first 15 points of the game. Later, the Tigers trailed the Commodores by a point midway through the second half. But Auburn immediately used a 10-2 run to regain control and held on for the money.

The Tigers shot 52 percent from the floor while holding Vandy to just 42 percent shooting.

That game played into one of our main sports handicapping theories: playing good teams on the road, where the spreads are more amenable. If that game had been played at Auburn, the spread might have been 13-14-15 points.

Back in December, the Tigers' seven-game winning streak was snapped by a loss to Duke. Auburn then won 14 in a row, including victories over Purdue, Mississippi State, Georgia, Tennessee, and Ole Miss, all of whom were ranked at the time. The Tigers then laid a bit of an egg against the Gators last Saturday, losing outright as 11-point favorites, before beating Vanderbilt Tuesday night.

At 10-1 in conference play, Auburn is tied with Alabama for first place in the SEC. And at 22-2 overall, the Tigers lead the chase for one of those No. 1 seeds for the upcoming NCAA tournament.

Alabama Betting Preview

Meanwhile, the Crimson Tide ride a seven-game winning streak into Saturday after beating Texas in Austin Tuesday night 103-80. Alabama favored at -5, used some hot early shooting to lead 49-31 at the half and eased home from there for the W and the cash.

‘Bama shot 62 percent from the floor Tuesday while limiting the Longhorns to just 42 percent shooting.

Another good team covering a manageable spread on the road.

In December and into January, Alabama won eight games in a row, including victories over ranked North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M. The Tide then lost a game at home to ranked Ole Miss but has since won seven more straight, including victories over ranked Kentucky and Mississippi State.

At 10-1 in conference play Alabama is tied for first place in the SEC with Auburn and at 21-3 overall the Tide are also right in the running for top seeding at the upcoming Big Dance.

Auburn-Alabama Recent History

These teams split their last six meetings SU but the Tigers are 4-1-1 ATS over that span. Last season these teams split their two meetings, each winning at home.

By the Numbers

Auburn is shooting 49 percent from the field this season, 37 percent from 3-point range and 74 percent from the free-throw line. The Tigers are also holding opponents to 40 percent FG shooting and out-rebounding foes by a 35-29 per-game average. This while playing what ESPN ranks as the 3rd-toughest schedule in the country.

Alabama is shooting 48 percent from the floor, 34 percent from 3-point land, and 71 percent from the line. The Tide are also holding opponents to 41 percent FG shooting and winning the battle on the boards by a 40-32 average, all while playing ESPN’s No. 1 schedule in the nation.

Totals Report

• The overs are 14-10 in Tigers games this season, which are averaging 153 total points.
• The unders are 12-11 in Crimson Tide games, which are averaging 169 points.
• The overs are 6-3 over the last nine meetings between these teams.