Quick Picks with Coach Rick Bowe, CBB Picks, CBB Free Picks, CBB Predictions 3/25/26

Quick Picks with Coach Rick Bowe, CBB Picks, CBB Free Picks, CBB Predictions 3/25/26

NEVADA @ AUBURN (AUB -9.5, 154.5)

CBB ODDS, CBB PREDICTIONS, CBB PREVIEWS

COACH RICK CBB PREVIEWS

WOLFPACK @ TIGERS 3/25/26

The NIT quarterfinals bring us a fascinating clash at Neville Arena as the Nevada Wolf Pack travel to take on the Auburn Tigers. Auburn enters as a significant home favorite, but Nevada’s ability to draw fouls and shoot from the perimeter makes them a dangerous opponent in a high-stakes postseason environment.

Auburn has been dominant at home, but their defensive struggles—particularly in defending the three-point line—could open the door for a high-scoring affair. Nevada, meanwhile, relies on an elite free-throw rate to keep games close. This matchup features two top-100 analytical teams according to KenPom and BartTorvik, promising a high-level tactical battle.

While Auburn is the superior team analytically, a 9.5-point spread is quite large for a quarterfinal matchup against a disciplined Nevada squad. Nevada ranks 1st nationally in free-throw attempts per offensive play, a math advantage that allows them to stay within striking distance even when their shots aren't falling. Auburn’s defense has been a liability recently, ranking 297th nationally in points per possession allowed, which suggests Nevada will have plenty of opportunities to keep this game competitive.

Nevada ranks 49th in the nation in Turnover Percentage (14.7%). By limiting empty possessions, they prevent Auburn from getting out in transition, where the Tigers are most lethal. Auburn ranks 329th in opponent three-point shooting percentage at home (37.4%). Nevada is a capable shooting team, ranking 70th in 3PT FG% (35.8%), and should find open looks against Auburn's sagging defense.

Auburn has struggled to cover large spreads in the NIT so far, failing to cover inflated lines in their first two games. The Tigers have also failed to cover in general, going just 2-13 ATS in their last 15 games. Nevada is 21-15 ATS this season and has shown they can compete on the road.

This matchup features two offenses that excel at getting to the free-throw line, which is a recipe for an "Over." Nevada leads the nation in free-throw rate, while Auburn ranks 3rd. When the clock stops and teams get easy points at the stripe, totals tend to climb. Furthermore, Auburn plays at a respectable pace (176th in Adj. Tempo) and possesses the 11th ranked Adjusted Offensive Efficiency in the country (125.2).

Auburn averages 82.8 points per game, while Nevada scores 76.2. Both teams have cleared their respective scoring averages in recent NIT outings. Auburn’s Adjusted Defensive Rating ranks 120th (106.6), a significant drop-off from their elite offensive metrics. They allow opponents to shoot 37.0% from deep (343rd in NCAA), which plays right into Nevada's strengths. Auburn is 20-15 to the Over this season, including 12-8 at home. Nevada is 21-15 to the Over, showing a consistent trend of high-scoring games for both programs.

Despite their defensive lapses, the Tigers are a different beast at Neville Arena. They possess a massive efficiency advantage, ranking 40th overall in KenPom compared to Nevada's 71st. Their offense, led by Keyshawn Hall and Kevin Overton, is simply too potent for a mid-major defense to stop for a full 40 minutes.

Home Dominance: Auburn is 17-16 overall but has been significantly more reliable at home. Their Adjusted Offensive Efficiency of 124.8 is elite and could overwhelm Nevada's 77th-ranked defense. The Tigers rank 15th in Offensive Rebound Percentage (37.4%). They will likely dominate the glass against a Nevada team that, while solid, lacks the high-major size to keep Auburn off the boards for second-chance points.

This game will likely be won or lost at the free-throw line. Nevada is the best in the country at drawing fouls, but Auburn isn't far behind. If the officials call a tight game, we could see both teams in the bonus early in both halves. Keyshawn Hall (19.5 PPG) is a master at drawing contact for Auburn, while Nevada will rely on Corey Camper Jr. (16.8 PPG) to attack the rim and force Auburn's bigs into foul trouble.

Auburn has shown a tendency to finish games strong in the NIT, averaging 48.5 points in the second half alone through the first two rounds. Nevada will need to maintain their defensive intensity for the full 40 minutes to avoid a late Auburn avalanche. The Tigers' depth and high-major athleticism often wear down mid-major opponents in the final ten minutes of play.

Get free CBB Picks and CBB Predictions for the top games on the weekly 2026 CBB schedule from the YLose.com  crew, one of the industry's largest networks of premier expert CBB handicappers. YLose.com has been bringing the CBB betting community the best CBB free picks and predictions for nearly three decades. Visit daily for the best CBB moneyline and point spread odds and game totals.

FREE PICK: NEVADA TEAM TOTAL OVER 72.5

Like last night with Saint Joe’s, tonight the public loves Nevada +9.5. Saint Joe’s did keep that game close in the first half, but New Mexico pulled away in the second half. This one may play out just like last night and, if it does, we’ll see Nevada up and Over its team total. Nevada averages 76 ppg and they’ve won 5 of their last 6 games. The Wolfpack scored 73-plus in all 5 wins and went Over 72.5 in 25 of 36 game this season. Playing on the road hasn’t affected Nevada’s offense as they’ve gone Over this team total in 8 of 12 road games this season. Don’t Auburn just doesn’t play defense. They rank 334th in the nation in points allowed per game giving up 80.2 per game.

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