The Tigers are on the cusp of locking up the regular season SEC title while the Crimson Tide is positioning itself for its highest seed in more than a decade.

Maybe most importantly is the chance for Avery Johnson's program to take control of bragging rights in a state that's building its basketball reputation. The Tide won the first meeting this season in Tuscaloosa, 76-71, one month ago behind eight 3-pointers for John Petty. Alabama played that game without Collin Sexton while Donta Hall played just 15 minutes off the bench in his return from wrist surgery.

Both players are back in the starting lineup for the return trip to Auburn, but oddsmakers believe the Tigers will win comfortably. Alabama is an 8-point underdog despite having a 5-1 record against ranked opponents this season. That's due in part to Auburn owning a 13-1 record on its home court this season, but this series has shifted to Bama's favor in recent years. The Tide has won 11 of the past 16 meetings and lead all-time with a 95-61 record.

Now the two teams will square off at 7:30 p.m. on the SEC Network with a lot at stake as we approach the end of the regular season. A win for Auburn would give the Bruce Pearl's team a two-game conference lead with three games remaining while a win for Alabama would solidify an NCAA Tournament bid and put the Tide in position to earn a double-bye in the SEC Tournament as a top-4 seed.

Coverage of the game will begin at 6:30 p.m. on 95.3 the Bear and the free station app. 

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