Iowa successfully makes its way to March Madness with a 19-13 overall record. The team is pitted against Auburn in the tournament’s first round. Their opponents also present similar season figures with 20 wins and 12 losses. The Midwest Region is about to heat up with March Madness underway. The No. 8 team (Iowa) takes on the No. 9 team (Auburn) and gives life to basketball and betting fans around the globe. We eagerly anticipate a tight game between the two sides and Nitrobetting makes sure you are on the right track from start to finish.

The Nitrobetting team is prepared to dish out key assists and passes with betting tips and news coverage throughout the 2023 March Madness tournament. This time, let’s take a closer look at the upcoming first-round matchup between the Auburn Tigers and the Iowa Hawkeyes along with the latest game odds for this huge 2023 March Madness showdown.

Auburn vs. Iowa 2023 March Madness First Round Game Information

Tomorrow, we dance. #WarEagle x #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/tpoP6mkNBC

— Auburn Basketball (@AuburnMBB) March 16, 2023

• When: Thursday, March 16, 2023, 6:50 PM ET
• Where: Legacy Arena, Birmingham, AL
• TV: TNT
• Radio: 98.9 The Game (Auburn) // KQSM 92.1 FM The Ticket (Iowa)
• Live Stream: March Madness Live
• NCAAB Betting Odds: Auburn (-1.5) // Iowa (+1.5)

READ MORE: Illinois vs. Arkansas 2023 March Madness Odds and Preview

Why Bet on the Auburn Tigers?

Auburn is a team that prioritizes defense over anything else. We’ve seen this squad play hard defense that covers rim protection and quality offensive rebounding. There’s a case to be made when comparing them with Houston. The Tigers can protect the ball and easily rank within the top 25 in defensive efficiency.

The Tigers look at Johoni Broome when it comes to production. The big man transfer from Morehead State earned OVC Defensive Player of the Year. He gets to share the floor with teammate Wendell Green Jr., who is a swift guard and can quickly bring the ball down the court. Broome is a competitive rebounder and shot blocker, and has plenty of power to force shots in the paint. More than that, he leads a top-ten defense in the country in blocked shots with 2.5 per game.

However, it needs to be said that Auburn still has to keep up with Iowa’s defense. We’ve seen the team on shaky runs. Auburn can struggle to hit shots and make only 31% of their attempts from three–a bottom-50 record. Wendell Green Jr. and K.D. Johnson can be streaky at times. Although they do have athletic players, there’s a lack of proficient shot-makers from the perimeter.

Why Bet on the Iowa Hawkeyes?

The No. 8 team can set the tone with their efficient offense and three-point shooting. This is a team that can outscore any competitor out there. Defense is not exactly their system leading up to the tournament, so don’t expect head coach Fran McCaffery to change things up anytime soon. They have the ability to disrupt the game speed, and we forecast just that on Thursday night.

Iowa can score from virtually any position on the floor. They limit turnovers to a minimum and only turn the ball over on 14% of its possessions. This is one of the best turnover rates in college basketball right now. That said, the Hawkeyes can create more shot opportunities and offensive-rebound windows. There’s also a tendency for this team to hit the line more.

Kris Murray, the twin of NBA star Keegan Murray, takes the helm here. The 22-year-old averaged 20 points on 47% shooting over his last ten appearances. He is cool, calm, and collected, which is important when playing high-pressure games like this. Payton Sandfort provides additional scoring options as well, who hit 46% of his three-point attempts over his last ten regular-season games.

Auburn vs. Iowa Betting Trends

• Auburn is 3-2 in their last five postseason outings.
• Auburn is 4-1 against the spread in their last five post-season games.
• The totals have gone over in three of Auburn’s last five postseason contests.
• Iowa is 2-3 in their last five post-season games.
• Iowa is 2-3 against the spread in their last five post-season games.
• The totals have gone over in four of Iowa’s last five postseason outings.

Auburn vs. Iowa Expert Prediction

Iowa can only hope to keep up with Auburn on the defensive end. They have inferior defense, rebounding, and interior defense compared to their opponents. The Hawkeyes are average at best on this side of the ball. If they give up too many open shots, it’s going to cause problems. However, if they don’t foul and limit Auburn’s free throws to a minimum, this should be a relatively smooth game for the team.

On the other side of the court is a desperate Tigers squad. They have to maintain intensity on defense and step up on offense. Johni Broome needs to step up and keep the buckets coming on top of his defensive efforts. Covering the spread is manageable for the No. 9 team, but a win demands a high level of offensive consistency in this matchup.

Where to Bet on the 2023 March Madness tournament with Bitcoin

Nitrobetting offers a solid channel for those who want to bet on the College Basketball season with crypto. The power of bitcoin and its lightning-fast transactions make your March Madness betting more enjoyable.

This is just one of the many sports betting guides that you can read here at Nitrobetting news. Stay tuned for more 2023 March Madness previews and articles, and don’t forget to check out the latest college basketball betting odds on our online bitcoin sportsbook.