The nation’s number one team remains unbeaten at the midway point of SEC play. Wins at LSU and Ole Miss have the Auburn Tigers sitting at 20-1 overall and 8-0 in conference play. As we enter the month of February, Auburn will continue to be tested with more big matchups on the horizon. Here’s a look back at the last two games and a look ahead to what’s next for the Tigers.
Auburn 87, LSU 74
After an emotional last weekend over Tennessee, Auburn traveled to Baton Rouge to face LSU on Wednesday. Auburn was a heavy favorite in the contest, but LSU did not make it easy jumping out to a 6-0 lead.
Auburn would grab the lead at 19-16 with nine minutes left after a free-throw from Chad Baker-Mazara and a layup from Ja’Heim Hudson. The Auburn Tigers defense would force 15 first half turnovers as they stretched their lead to 41-29 at halftime.
In the second half, LSU went on a 7-0 run to cut the lead to just five points. Tahaad Pettiford would answer with a three-pointer to make it an eight point game. Auburn’s lead would not go under six points for the final twelve minutes.
LSU turned the ball over a total of 20 times with Auburn converting that into 22 points. Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl was proud of his team’s defensive effort saying, “We knew we needed to turn them over.” “We were aggressive without fouling.”
Johni Broome recorded yet another double-double with 26 points and 16 rebounds. That was his eleventh 20 point game of the season.
Auburn has now won four straight against LSU with all of those being by more than 13 points.
Auburn 92, Ole Miss 82
Auburn put together their best road performance of the season, putting up 92 points at Ole Miss. The Rebels had not allowed over 70 points from visiting teams until that game.
The Tigers were hot from three-point range, knocking down 14 total threes. All of Auburn’s starting five were in double figures including Johni Broome and Dylan Cardwell who each had double-doubles.
Broome had his twelfth 20 point game this season along with 12 rebounds while Cardwell 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.
“Dylan Cardwell and Johni Broome are so dominant, physically,” said Pearl. “Our physicality was a factor. Our front line dominated.”
Other leading scorers were Chad Baker-Mazara with 18 points, Denver Jones with 16 points, and Miles Kelly with 15 points.
Leading by eight at halftime, Auburn let the Rebels cut the lead to one point with eight minutes left.
Clutch threes from Baker-Mazara and Jones would help the Tigers extend their lead down the stretch. A breakaway dunk from Broome inside the final minute would. seal the deal as the Tigers earned year another quad one win.
“They want to win for Auburn,” Pearl said. “They recognize that this is a special team. They want to make history. We played some beautiful basketball. Every time Ole Miss made a run, we answered.”
Looking Ahead
Auburn has a two straight home games this week against Oklahoma and Florida. The Sooners will come to town on Tuesday night off of a comeback win over Vanderbilt. The Sooners have struggled in conference play, but are still a dangerous team when they shoot well.
Forward Jason Moore leads the Sooners with 18.9 points per game and six rebounds. Oklahoma is averaging 80 points a game and has allowed an average of 70 points to opposing teams.
Tip-off for that game will be at 8:00 p.m. CT with coverage on SEC Network.
After the Oklahoma welcomes the Florida Gators to town. The Gators have one of the strongest records of any SEC teamed have stayed inside the the top 10 for the past few weeks. After a loss to Tennessee, they will face Vanderbilt this week before making the trip to Auburn.
The Gators are an experienced team with several big names including Walter Clayton Jr. and Will Richard. Both players are leading their team with points and rebounds per game. A win for Auburn would make it their 13th quad one win of the season.
Tip-off for that game will be at 3:00 p.m. CT with coverage on ESPN.
