Dec. 8, 2017
Auburn vs. UAB
(2017-18 RECORD: 7-1, 0-0 SEC) vs. (2017-18 RECORD: 6-3, 0-0 C-USA)
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Schedule
| Sat, Dec 9 | 3:30 p.m. |
By Greg Ostendorf
AuburnTigers.com
AUBURN, Ala. -- Coming off an 80-55 win over Gardner-Webb this week, Auburn will be at home again Saturday to face UAB in a matchup that's been hotly contested the past two seasons. The Tigers won twice, but both games came down to the final possession.
"They are an opponent we have great respect for and a series that we are really excited about being involved in," Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said. "It matters to the players, it matters to our fans, and the last couple of years we have managed to get a couple of wins by a total of five points. It has been as good of an environment as I have seen at Auburn."
Auburn is 7-1 for the first time since 2011 and for only the fourth time since 2000. The Tigers are also riding a five-game winning streak for only the second time since Pearl arrived.
A major part of the early-season success has been the team's ability to rebound. Auburn has outrebounded its opponent in every game this season, a feat that was only accomplished 10 times all of last season. But the Tigers will have their hands full Saturday with a bigger, more physical UAB team that is currently No. 6 nationally in rebounding margin (12.1).
The Blazers' Chris Cokley is averaging 17.7 points per game, 10.2 rebounds per game, and he's ranked No. 17 nationally in offensive efficiency.
"He is a double-double machine," Pearl said. "A big strong, physical senior that has played a lot of basketball for those guys over the last couple of years."
The game, which is set to tip off at 3:30 p.m. CT, is part of a doubleheader with the women's basketball team. Rod Bramblett and Sonny Smith will have the radio call on 93.9 Tiger FM, online at www.AuburnTigers.com and on the TuneIn app. The game will also be broadcast on SEC Network with Doug Bell and Daymeon Fishback on the call.
Promotions
Auburn Jungle Finals Study Break: All students who come to Saturday's game will be given a white Jungle t-shirt, ant the first 500 students will get a BurgerFi cheeseburger and a rally towel. Gates open at 2 p.m.
Halftime to Halftime: Starting at halftime of the men's basketball game until the end of halftime of the women's basketball game, all Birmingham Jam Endzone tickets ($20) will be 50 percent off and available to purchase in the North end and scholarship entrance ticket office locations.
Player to watch: Horace Spencer
In what promises to be a battle of boards Saturday, junior Horace Spencer will play a key role in the outcome. In two games against UAB in his career, Spencer has racked up 14 rebounds (7.0 per game) and tallied seven blocks to go along with seven points. The Philadelphia native has three games with five or more rebounds so far this season.
Inside the series: UAB
The Tigers and Blazers are set to meet for the 20th time in series history Saturday afternoon. The two teams have sparked up the rivalry in the last two seasons after not meeting from 2000-2014. They met on a regular basis from 1982-1999 except in 1987, 1988 and 1992.
UAB owns a 10-9 advantage in the series all-time, but Auburn has taken the last four matchups by a total of 21 points.
Auburn is 42-23 all-time against teams from the currently constructed Conference USA. The Tigers also face Middle Tennessee, along with UAB, this season.
Board up
Auburn has outrebounded all eight of its opponents so far this season. The Tigers are one of just three teams in the country to accomplish the feat, joining Albany (10) and Duke (11).
No longer a walk-on
For the first time in his career, Patrick Keim will dress as a scholarship player Saturday. The former walk-on and lone senior on the team was awarded a scholarship following the Gardner-Webb game.
"You think you get into coaching because you want to try to make a difference with kids," Pearl said. "That kid's made a difference in me."
On this date
On Dec. 9, 1993, Auburn scored the 10th-most points in a game in program history in a 113-86 triumph over then Troy State. The Tigers scored a record 73 points in the second half to key the 27-point victory.
The Tigers are 9-3 on this date all-time and won the last four tilts.
Greg Ostendorf is a Senior Writer for AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @greg_ostendorf