The No. 2 Auburn Tigers are set to face the South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, S.C. Tip-off is scheduled for noon CST.
Team Overviews:
- Auburn Tigers (14-1, 2-0 SEC). Under Coach Bruce Pearl, Auburn has been impressive this season, boasting a 14-1 overall record and a 2-0 mark in SEC play. Their only loss came against Duke on December 4. The Tigers are riding a seven-game winning streak, including a recent 87-82 victory over Texas.
- South Carolina Gamecocks: The Gamecocks have had a challenging start to their season, particularly in conference play. Despite their struggles, they have demonstrated resilience. The Gamecocks have shown the ability to compete, as evidenced by their victory over Clemson earlier in the season.
Key Players to Watch:
- Auburn:
- Johni Broome: The Senior Forward continues to show why he was a preseason All-American. His presence in the paint and improved perimeter shooting make him a dual threat. His interior presence will be a huge factor. Not only has he been a consistent force on the boards, Broome has been a shot blocker. This season, he is averaging 2.7 Block per game (9th in the country and 1st in the conference).
- Tahaad Pettiford: The freshman guard has provided a spark off the bench. His speed and playmaking abilities, contributing significantly in the back court. He will need to come up big for Auburn in this game. The guards for South Carolina do not have a lot depth but they have a ton of experience. Having competent guard play off of the bench will be key for Auburn.
- South Carolina:
- Collin Murray-Boyles: A standout forward, Murray-Boyles has been a consistent performer for the Gamecocks. He was named Co-SEC Player of the Week in December, averaging 18.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 3.0 blocks, and 1.0 steals per game during that period.
- Jamarii Thomas: Coming in as a transfer from Norfolks State, Thomas has helped to solidify the back court for South Carolina after the departure of Meechie Johnson. Thomas is the leader in Assists (3.3) and steals (1.4 ) for the Gamecocks this season.
Statistical Insights:
- Auburn:
- Offensive Efficiency: According to KenPom, the Tigers have been the most dominant team through six weeks in the history of KenPom’s database, ranking No. 1 in every efficiency-based metric.
- Defensive Prowess: Barttorvik’s analytics highlight Auburn’s strong defensive metrics, particularly in limiting opponents’ shooting percentages. They rank 4th nationally in 2-point percentage defense, holding opponents to 42.7%.
- South Carolina:
- Free Throw Rate: The Gamecocks have a high free throw rate. In fact, they are second to only Missouri in the SEC. Auburn has already faced Missouri and did relatively well with staying out of foul trouble. However, this is a road game. I expect the the officiating to be a major factor. This South Carolina team has aggressiveness in driving to the basket and drawing fouls.
- Pace of Play: South Carolina tends to control the tempo, often engaging in lower-possession games, which could influence the game’s rhythm. To put it plainly, they do not want to get into a track meet with Auburn.
Coach Bruce Pearl’s Perspective:
When previewing the game with the media, Coach Pearl wanted to keep a level head. “Obviously, South Carolina is not off to a great start in the league,” said Pearl, “but they beat Clemson, who beat Kentucky, who beat Duke, who beat Auburn.”
He also emphasized the importance of defending without fouling, noting the Gamecocks’ propensity to drive to the basket and draw fouls.
Game Outlook:
Auburn enters the game as the favorite, with their high-powered offense and disciplined defense. However, South Carolina’s ability to control the game’s tempo and draw fouls will be pivotal. The Tigers will need to maintain their defensive discipline and execute efficiently on offense on the road.
For fans looking to catch the action, the game will be broadcast live, with coverage details available on Auburn’s official athletics website.
For more insights from Coach Bruce Pearl on the upcoming game, you can watch his press conference below:
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