AUBURN, Ala. – Playing against what Bruce Pearl says is Avery Johnson's best Alabama team, the Auburn coach is telling the Tigers to keep their composure in what figures to be a raucous, sold out Auburn Arena.
"It's a pivotal game for us. We'll have to play our best game so far," Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said. "There are going to be some swings in the game. We can't be too concerned if we get ahead early or get down early because this game is going to have some swings."
After missing four games with a lower leg injury, center Austin Wiley is doubtful to play against Alabama, Pearl said. If Wiley, whom Pearl says is making progress and has been pain-free, is unable to play, Anfernee McLemore and Horace Spencer will be tasked with guarding Alabama center Donta Hall, who leads the SEC with five double-doubles.
"I think our greatest challenge is going to be keeping them out of the lane," Pearl said. "Donta Hall keeps getting better and better every year. They make you come off of him to try to block a shot and he just catches everything. He's got great hands, and he finishes everything."
Limiting Hall's effectiveness begins with properly defending Alabama's point guard, a job that falls primarily to senior guard Bryce Brown.
"Most of the time I'm guarding the person who has the ball," Brown said. "My ball pressure, doing everything I can on the ball to make it easy for the big guys, so they don't catch the ball deep down in the paint. Keeping that ball pressure all the time is key."
Auburn (14-6, 3-4) seeks its 11th victory in 12 home games Saturday at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN2 against Alabama (13-7, 4-3). The Crimson Tide is 2-4 on the road this season, 1-2 in SEC road games.
AUTLIVEThe Bruce Pearl Family Foundation is once again continuing the fight against cancer with the fourth year of AUTLIVE, Auburn basketball's fight against cancer. AUTLIVE raises the awareness of cancer prevention and detection while t-shirt sales and donations raise money to benefit cancer patients and their local hospitals. The best way to beat cancer is to detect it early and be able to fight it on your home court. You can made a donation and purchase a t-shirt at www.autlive.com.
Player to watch: Bryce BrownSenior Bryce Brown has picked up his play in the last five games for the Tigers as he has averaged 19.8 points per game. The Stone Mountain, Georgia, native has accomplished that by way of 50 percent from the floor, including 20-of-40 from behind the arc. Brown has also shown success against Alabama in his career. The guard has poured in 78 points in three years against the Crimson Tide.
Inside the series: AlabamaSaturday's duel is the 159th meeting between Auburn and Alabama with the Crimson Tide holding a 96-62 advantage. Auburn has a 31-27 edge in Auburn, including a 5-3 mark at Auburn Arena. The Tigers have won 16 of the last 22 between the two teams on the Plains.
Turning over the opponentAuburn is fourth nationally, and first among power conference teams, forcing 18.8 turnovers per game. The Tigers have forced at least 20 turnovers eight times this season including 20 in their last game against Missouri. Auburn is forcing an average of 21.0 turnovers per game at home (231 in 11 home games). Auburn is averaging 13.2 turnovers and is third in the country with a plus-5.6 turnover margin.
Balanced scoringSix times this season Auburn has had at least five players score in double figures. Nine different Tigers have scored in double figures at least once this season. Auburn has topped the 80-point plateau in 13 of 20 games, plus AU has surpassed the 90-point mark seven times and has scored 100-plus twice. The Tigers are 11-2 when scoring at least 80 points. Auburn is on pace to be the second-highest scoring team in program history.
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer
Auburn hosts Alabama Saturday in 'a pivotal game'
