The Auburn Tigers are set to take on the LSU Tigers in an SEC showdown today. Tip-off is scheduled for 4pm EST at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. The Tigers are looking to bounce back after the loss to Ole Miss.
A Look at Auburn
Auburn enters the game with a 9-5 record and hoping to build momentum under head coach Johnnie Harris. The Tigers thrive on defensive intensity. They’ll need a healthy dose of it to keep pace with LSU’s dynamic offense.
The stand out so far this season has been DeYona Gaston. The star forward is averaging 14.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game. Gaston’s presence in the paint has been a consistent force for Auburn on both ends of the court. Additionally, Guard Mar’Shaun Bostic has also stepped up this season, contributing 11.3 points, 5.7 assists, and 2.4 steals per game. Auburn will need Bostic to play more “mistake-free” to have a chance. While the assist numbers are impressive, she is also averaging 3.5 turnovers per game.
However, player availability has plagued Auburn’s roster, affecting depth and rotations. Taliah Scott is still battling injury and not available. Taylen Collins and Celia Sumbane are both playing and not at 100%. It was recently announced that Senior Forward Kaitlyn Duhon was dismissed from the team. Duhon was expected to be a major contributor after her return from injury. Now, the team will rely heavily on true Freshman, Syriah Daniels, to fill the void left by Duhon. The team has shown resilience despite these setbacks. However, the team needs a strong showing to build confidence for the remainder of SEC play.
Scouting LSU
LSU boasts a perfect 16-0 record under the leadership of head coach Kim Mulkey. LSU lost a 2 major pieces (Angel Reese and Hailey Van Lith) and have shown no signs of slowing down. Flau’jae Johnson has stepped in a lead role for LSU. She is averaging 20.2 points and 6.4 rebounds this season. Also, Forward Aneesah Morrow dominates in the paint, averaging 17.9 points, 14 rebounds, and 2.6 steals per game. Mikaylah Williams adds scoring firepower with her all-around game, showcasing why she’s one of the top players in the SEC.
Auburn’s defense must disrupt LSU’s rhythm and limit second-chance opportunities to have a shot at victory.
Keys to Victory for Auburn
- Defensive Discipline: Auburn has to get back to winning defense. They need to be disruptive. Also, they must box out, avoid unnecessary fouls, and force LSU into tough shots.
- Balanced Scoring: Auburn needs contributions from multiple players to match LSU’s scoring depth. They will not be able to rely on DeYona Gaston to outscore the entirety of LSU’s team.
- Control the Tempo: Auburn should dictate the pace with smart possessions and limit LSU’s transition offense. Auburn has to limit their turnovers. In the game against Ole Miss, Auburn had 29 turnovers and seemed to be lost on offense. That will not cut it against the 6th ranked team in the country on the road.
- Road Toughness: Staying composed in a high-energy environment is critical for Auburn to succeed. Auburn has not played well on the road against P4 teams so far this season. This will be an even tougher challenge than Oregon and Cal.
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