One of Friday’s more enticing Sweet 16 matchups features the Big Ten Tournament champion Michigan Wolverines and the top-seeded SEC regular-season champion Auburn Tigers.

Ahead of this titanic clash, the Tigers hover between 9-point and 9.5-point favorites against Michigan.

Can the Wolverines keep this game close or even pull out one of the biggest upsets of the 2025 NCAA Tournament?

Keep reading for our Michigan vs. Auburn predictions, picks, and best bets for the Sweet 16 below!

Michigan vs. Auburn predictions and best bets

• Johni Broome Under 17.5 Points: -104 at FanDuel
• Danny Wolf To Record 4+ Assists: +102 at FanDuel
• Michigan Moneyline: +350 at BetMGM

Note: Odds are based on the best value our experts find as of publication; check lines closer to game time to ensure you get the best odds.

Like the Tigers’ Round of 32 game against Creighton, Johni Broome will have to find ways to score over and around a colossal rim presence. In this case, 7-foot-1 Vlad Goldin will patrol the paint similarly to Ryan Kalkbrenner.

Broome struggled against the Bluejays, converting just four of his 13 field goal attempts for eight points. Now, he will have to score in and around the paint on two seven-footers, Goldin and Danny Wolf.

This could be another matchup that forces other Auburn players to step up on the offensive end of the floor.

On the other hand, Michigan must heavily rely on Danny Wolf for playmaking against a top-tier Auburn defense that ranks 12th in adjusted defensive efficiency.

Wolf has recorded four or more assists in five of his past seven games, and if the Wolverines want to upend the best team in the country, they will need Wolf to have the ball in his hands, pass out of the post, and utilize the 4-5 pick-and-roll as much as possible.

See our Michigan vs. Auburn Moneyline odds analysis below to see why I am backing the Wolverines in their Sweet 16 matchup against the top-ranked Tigers!

Michigan vs. Auburn moneyline odds analysis

The Auburn Tigers enter this Sweet 16 matchup as heavy -425 odds favorites on bet365, while Michigan is a +350 odds underdog on BetMGM.

I will be eyeing the NCAA Tournament’s first significant upset in this game: Michigan to knock off the top-seeded Auburn Tigers.

The Wolverines are among the few teams that can dominate the paint against Auburn, with Vlad Goldin roaming as a rim protector and Danny Wolf crashing the glass hard to ensure the Tigers don’t get an inordinate amount of offensive rebounds and second-chance points.

Michigan has also been much improved at protecting the ball, which has gotten it in significant trouble throughout the season; the Wolverines have averaged roughly 10 turnovers per game in their past three outings, as opposed to their season average of nearly 15.

Why Auburn could win as the favorite

Best odds: -425 at bet365

The Tigers have been the country’s best team for most of the 2024-25 season, crushing virtually every team in their path.

Until recently, Auburn ranked first in KenPom’s adjusted offensive efficiency and adjusted efficiency margin.

However, the Tigers have not been quite as dominant in the past few weeks, dropping games to Alabama, Texas A&M, and Tennessee.

Still, this hyper-efficient and poised team, led by Johni Broome and Chad Baker-Mazara, can run through the March Madness gauntlet.

Auburn is deep, experienced, well-coached, and talented on both ends of the floor.

Why Michigan could win as the underdog

Best odds: +350 at BetMGM

The Wolverines have one of the best frontcourts in the country behind the dynamic duo of seven-footers Danny Wolf and Vlad Goldin.

Wolf and Goldin combine for roughly 30 points and 17 rebounds per game, helping Michigan to the 15th-highest 2-point percentage in college basketball.

On the other end of the floor, Wolf and Goldin hold opponents to the 13th-lowest 2-point percentage nationally. In short, they have mainly been dominant against their opponents inside the arc.

Since Johni Broome isn’t much of a 3-point threat, the Wolverines will have two starters and a bench big (Will Tschetter) who can at least be passable in defending him, which could force other Tigers players like Denver Jones and Chad Baker-Mazara to step up.

Roddy Gayle Jr is also fresh off a career game, pouring in 26 points against the Aggies in the Round of 32. The Wolverines could have a shot if they get another enormous performance from him or Tre Donaldson.

Lastly, Michigan has turned the ball over four fewer times per game than its season average over its past three outings. Protecting the ball has been the Wolverines’ biggest weakness this year, so this drastic improvement could be the key factor.