The Auburn Tigers are set to defend their home court in Neville Arena against a tough Tennessee Volunteers squad. This match-up promises to be an intense battle for the SEC regular season title. With ESPN’s College GameDay in town, the stakes are high. Auburn aims to maintain its perfect SEC record and number-one national ranking.
Key Story lines
- Auburn’s Formidable Home Advantage: The Tigers have been dominant at home, shooting an impressive 44.4% from three-point range in SEC play while holding opponents to just 23.3% from beyond the arc. However, Auburn’s offensive rebounding, dead last in the conference. This will be a vulnerability against a Tennessee team that leads the SEC in offensive rebound percentage.
- Injury Watch: According to Coach Bruce Pearl, Auburn’s Johni Broome is out of his boot, but his game-time availability remains uncertain. His defensive presence and interior scoring would be crucial against Tennessee’s size. Meanwhile, Dylan Cardwell is battling thigh cramps. If Cardwell is limited, Auburn will have to rely on Ja’heim Hudson to play heavy minutes again. Hudson played a big role in Auburn’s win against Georgia last weekend.
- Tennessee’s Strengths: Tennessee thrives on three-point shooting. Nearly 40% of their points are coming from beyond the arc in SEC play. Auburn’s ability to run the Volunteers off the three-point line will be critical. Tennessee’s offensive rebounding also provides second-chance opportunities, which would tip the balance in a close game.
Coach Bruce Pearl’s Perspective
Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl is well aware of the challenges this Tennessee team poses. He noted, “Tennessee is a physical, defensive-minded team. Their ability to crash the offensive glass and make you work for every possession is what makes them so tough.”
When discussing Auburn’s approach, Pearl emphasized, “We need to win the rebounding battle and stay disciplined defensively. Limiting their second-chance points and making it tough for their shooters is a must.”
Watch Bruce Pearl’s full comments on the match-up here:
Key Match-ups to Watch
- Johni Broome (if available) vs. Tennessee’s Interior: Broome’s mobility and defensive impact would shift the game’s dynamics if he’s able to suit up.
- Denver Jones vs. Zakai Ziegler: Auburn’s defensive specialist, Denver Jones, will face the challenge of containing Zakai Ziegler, Tennessee’s dynamic point guard. Ziegler is averaging 12.2 points and 7.6 assists per game, often acting as the engine of Tennessee’s offense. His ability to penetrate defenses and find open teammates is a key component of the Volunteers’ strategy. Jones will need to disrupt Ziegler’s rhythm and force him to score against Auburn’s interior size.
- Chaz Lanier vs. Auburn’s Perimeter Defense: Tennessee’s Chaz Lanier is a crucial scoring threat, averaging 15.7 points per game and shooting 35.3% from three-point range in conference play. Lanier’s ability to score in bunches can stretch Auburn’s defense. The Tigers’ guards will need to focus on limiting his clean looks from beyond the arc. The combination of Miles Kelly and Chad Baker-Mazara will likely get a lot of the assignments against Lanier.
Summary
Auburn’s home court advantage, combined with their strong perimeter defense, gives them an edge. However, their ability to rebound and score in the paint with or without Johni Broome will determine the outcome.
For an in-depth breakdown, check out this video:
