Texas Longhorns vs Auburn Tigers Picks and Predictions January 7th 2025

No. 2 Auburn Eyes Seventh Straight Victory Against Texas in SEC Showdown

Second-ranked Auburn, riding high on a six-game winning streak, will visit SEC newcomer Texas on Tuesday night in Austin for a rare matchup between the two programs. It marks the first time the teams have squared off since 1955, with the series tied 1-1.

Auburn’s Momentum and Record-Breaking Potential

The Tigers (13-1, 1-0 SEC) have been in dominant form, winning their past six games by at least 16 points. They opened conference play Saturday with an 84-68 win over Missouri, led by Johni Broome’s 24 points. Broome, a Player of the Year contender, has been Auburn’s leading scorer in 10 games this season.

Chad Baker-Mazara and Chaney Johnson each added 13 points in the victory, with Denver Jones and Tahaad Pettiford chipping in 10 apiece. Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl can become the school’s all-time wins leader with a victory over Texas, surpassing Joel Eaves with his 214th triumph.

Wondering How To Beat The Odds?

Get Expert NCAAB Predictions Now!

Sign Up!

Pearl emphasized the need for sharper play on the road, saying, “You have to take better care of the ball, be sharper with your passes, and stay locked in.”

Texas’ Tough SEC Start

The Longhorns (11-3, 0-1 SEC) are reeling after an 80-60 loss to rival Texas A&M in their conference opener on Saturday. Texas managed to stay tied at halftime and cut the Aggies’ lead to 57-52 in the second half before being overwhelmed down the stretch.

Tramon Mark led Texas with 14 points, while Arthur Kaluma, Jordan Pope, and freshman standout Tre Johnson also scored in double figures. However, Johnson struggled, shooting just 2-for-13 from the floor as the Longhorns hit only 25% of their second-half attempts.

“We’ve got talented players, but we’re still piecing it together,” Kaluma said after the loss. Head coach Rodney Terry pointed to defensive lapses and missed opportunities as areas to address, adding, “You can’t give a good team second-chance opportunities on the road.”

Key Matchup: Auburn’s Depth vs. Texas’ Resilience

Auburn’s balanced scoring and depth will test Texas, which is navigating a grueling stretch against five straight ranked opponents. The Tigers boast five players averaging double figures and a defense capable of stifling opposing offenses. Texas will need improved efficiency from its stars like Johnson and Kaluma to keep pace.

Free Picks for College Hoops Fans! See what our experts suggest with free NCAAB picks.

Historical Context and Stakes

This meeting adds another chapter to a series that has been dormant for decades. For Auburn, it’s an opportunity to cement its SEC dominance and maintain momentum in a challenging conference. For Texas, it’s a chance to show it belongs in the SEC against one of the nation’s best teams.

Tipoff in Austin promises a high-stakes showdown as Texas looks to bounce back and Auburn aims to extend its impressive run.