College Hoops: Oregon v. Auburn

Oregon and Auburn meet in Las Vegas at Michelob Ultra Arena in a quietly important early-season barometer. Both teams look shiny on paper — the Ducks are 4-0, the Tigers 4-1 — but neither has really been stress-tested away from home yet. Oregon has played four straight in Eugene, while Auburn’s only trip off campus was a loss to Houston in Birmingham. That edge matters: Auburn has already been in a rock fight, and you usually learn more from one tough loss than four comfortable wins.

Oregon, meanwhile, has felt a little too clean. The Ducks have basically strolled through their schedule, but there were real wobbles versus Hawaii and Rice that showed some vulnerability when the game got choppy. The travel, neutral floor, and bright lights of Vegas will pressure that process. Still, Oregon has the coaching trump card. Dana Altman is one of the best tournament-style tacticians in the country, and this setting is his playground. Auburn’s Steven Pearl is a rookie head coach, and even with talent, there’s a learning curve in tight late-game possessions.

The market opened Oregon -4.5 with a total of 153.5. Given Oregon’s depth, guard play, and Altman’s track record in neutral-site games, I’d expect money to trickle toward the Ducks. Pace should be lively, but execution in the final eight minutes decides it.

Pick:
Oregon 78
Auburn 75