The Texas Longhorns take on the Auburn Tigers in Auburn, AL. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Auburn is favored by 6.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -315. The total is set at 159.5 points.
Here’s my Texas vs. Auburn prediction and college basketball picks for January 28, 2026.
Texas Longhorns vs Auburn Tigers Prediction, Picks
My Pick: Auburn -6.5
My Texas vs Auburn best bet is on the Tigers to cover the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Texas vs Auburn Odds, Spread, Line
| Texas Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -105 | 154.5 -110o / -110u | +240 |
| Auburn Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6.5 -115 | 154.5 -110o / -110u | -295 |
- Texas vs Auburn Spread: Auburn -6.5, Texas +6.5
- Texas vs Auburn Over/Under: 154.5
- Texas vs Auburn Moneyline: Texas ML +240, Auburn ML -295
Texas vs Auburn Preview
Texas Longhorns
Texas is right in the NCAA Tournament mix, sitting at 12-8 overall and 3-4 in SEC play. The Longhorns grabbed a home win over Georgia in their last matchup, but they'll head back to the road for this one.
Texas is adept at winning in two key areas: the offensive glass and getting to the foul line. It ranks fourth in KenPom's FTA/FGA metric at 49.7%, and it ranks 13th with a 38% offensive rebound rate.
The common denominator is seven-footer Matas Vokietaitis. Vokietaitis is better than anyone in the country at drawing fouls, ranking first in fouls drawn per 40 and free-throw rate. He accounts for 15.1 points per game and shoots over eight free throws per game.
If the opposing team can defend without fouling, Texas can be in trouble.
The offensive approach that the Longhorns deploy is a bit predictable. They shoot just 32% from deep and only shoot 3s on 38% of their field goals.
Most of their roster focuses on scoring inside the arc. The main example of that is Dailyn Swain, who leads the team with 16 points per game while shooting 57% from the field and just 27% from deep. His ability to drive makes him a tough cover, though.
They'll need more from Tramon Mark and Jordan Pope to beat a scalding hot Auburn squad. Pope is a hot-and-cold scorer. He poured in 28 against Alabama, but he's just a 35% shooter from deep. Mark, meanwhile, shoots just 33% from deep and loves to take tough mid-range shots.
The main issue for Texas? Getting stops, as it ranks 136th in defensive efficiency over its past seven games. The strength for Texas is drawing fouls, and its biggest defensive weakness is fouling, as opponents posted a 43% free-throw rate against it in that seven-game span.
Auburn Tigers
All of a sudden, Auburn is hotter than lava, winning three straight games, including a road victory over Florida.
I'll tell you three percentages: 45.5%, 36.4% and 46.9%. That's what Auburn held Florida, South Carolina and Ole Miss to on 2-pointers. In contrast, the Tigers rank 188th in 2-point field goal defense.
What I saw was encouraging, though. Keyshawn Hall, the SEC Player of the Week, was super engaged, and he traditionally is a poor defensive player. Hall got low and fronted Alex Condon in the Florida game, a huge aspect in that win.
If Hall can continue to play solid defense, Auburn's success will be more than a flash in the pan.
The Tigers have some real length with Hall, Sebastian Williams-Adams and KeShawn Murphy to make life tough on teams who want to score inside. It didn't materialize into success before this run, but I'm buying it.
Similar to Texas, Auburn is more of an interior scoring team, shooting 55% from inside the arc. It also ranks 13th in offensive efficiency and fifth — just behind its opponent — in FTA/FGA.
Finally, will this be the slump buster for Tahaad Pettiford? He's been a shell of himself all season. Hall has picked up the slack, averaging over 20 points per game, but Pettiford has really, really struggled. His talent is undeniable, but his results are very shaky.
Texas vs Auburn NCAAB Pick to Bet
I'm riding the hot streak with Auburn. I think the defense is much improved and will continue to improve as the season progresses.
If the Tigers can pack the paint and force the Longhorns to shoot, that would be a huge boost for the home favorites.
I see Texas struggling to generate offensive momentum with Murphy shutting down Vokietaitis and Hall battling well against Swain.
My Pick: Auburn -6.5
