AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn has turned up the defensive intensity while going 4-2 in its last six games, limiting five opponents to an average of 59.2 points. (In the statistical outlier, LSU defeated Auburn 83-78).
"I think it speaks to the effort our guys are giving," Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said. "We need to match that effort with effectiveness. The good news for us is we haven't played our best basketball yet, and we're working to get there."
Arkansas, with center Daniel Gafford leading the way with 16.6 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, ranks seventh in the SEC in scoring averaging 76.9 points. Auburn is third at 81.7.
"They've got the most dominating big guy in the league in Daniel Gafford," Pearl said. "They present a real threat."
Auburn will defend Gafford with a trio of post players: Anfernee McLemore, Horace Spencer and Austin Wiley, who participated fully in Monday's physical practice.
"Yesterday was a really good practice for him to be able to get going," Pearl said. "It's going to come on, and when it does, it's going to happen real fast. It's just going to be like, boom."
Fans can expect a flurry of 3-pointers Wednesday with Auburn's Bryce Brown and Arkansas freshman Isaiah Joe, the SEC's leading sharpshooters, squaring off.
"It will be good to see how a young player like him does against a senior like me," said Brown, whose 85 3-pointers trail only Joe's 87. "It will be a good matchup I'm looking forward to."
Wednesday's 7:30 p.m. CT tip represents the last chance for fan who don't already have tickets to see the Tigers at Auburn Arena.
"The last two games, Mississippi State and Tennessee, are both sold out," Pearl said. "That's a great problem to have. I encourage our fans, I encourage our students. They make a huge difference. This is a real key game for us. Got to get the ones you can get in this league."
The game will be carried on the 93.9 Tiger FM, online at AuburnTigers.com and on the TuneIn app with Rod Bramblett and Sonny Smith on the call. The game will also be televised on SEC Network with Mike Morgan and Barry Booker on the call.
Player to watch: Malik Dunbar
A big reason for Auburn's success this season has been the play from its bench, particularly from Malik Dunbar. In his second season with the Tigers, the senior has increased his scoring output from 5.4 points per game to 7.5, while shooting better from all over the court. Auburn is 10-3 when the North Augusta, S.C. native scores in double figures
Inside the series: Arkansas
This is the 53rd all-time meeting between Auburn and Arkansas with the Razorbacks holding a 34-18 series lead. The Tigers lead 13-12 in games played in Auburn, but Arkansas has won five of the six matchups between the two teams at Auburn Arena.
The two teams have split the last four games in the series after Arkansas had won the previous eight meetings. The series is tied 1-1 in neutral-site games, but Arkansas won the only SEC Tournament game between the two teams 75-67 in the 2000 SEC Tournament Championship.
Bruce Pearl is 7-6 in his head coaching career against Arkansas, including a 2-3 mark at Auburn. Against the Razorbacks, Pearl is 4-3 at home, 2-2 on the road and 1-1 at neutral locations.
Cranking it up on defense
The Tigers are not only one of the top offensive teams in the country, Auburn has held eight opponents to under 60 points this season, including three under 50, after allowing under 60 points just twice all of last season (34 games). The Tigers are third in the SEC allowing 67.9 points per game, an improvement of 5.3 points per game from last season. Auburn, who ranks the third in the SEC averaging 81.7 points per game, is the only SEC team ranked in the top 3 of the league in scoring offense and scoring defense.
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer.