Moving week: Tigers begin critical stretch at Arkansas

AUBURN, Ala. – On Saturday night, Auburn picked up its most impressive win of the season with a 75-66 home victory over Kentucky. Less than 24 hours later, the Tigers had already moved on. 

That's because beating Kentucky is just a step toward the ultimate goal of winning the SEC regular season championship. And for Auburn, who moved up six spots to No. 11 in this week's AP poll, the next two games will go a long way in determining whether this team has what it takes to bring home another title. 

First up is a road trip to Arkansas on Tuesday. Then it's back home Saturday where the Tigers will host a first-place LSU team that is undefeated (8-0) in SEC play. 

"This week is the moving week," Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl said. "We're either going to put ourselves in the position to compete for the conference championship or not this week because of these opponents. We just got finished playing No. 27 in the NET with Kentucky. Arkansas is No. 34. LSU is next. They're leading our league. Then Alabama comes in. It is absolutely moving week."

The challenge for Auburn on Tuesday night will be playing better away from home, and it won't come easy in Bud Walton Arena where the Tigers are 4-21 all-time. A win would give Auburn back-to-back wins over Arkansas for only the fifth time ever and first since 2009. 

The game will tip off at 6 p.m. CT from Bud Walton Arena. Andy Burcham and Sonny Smith will have the radio call on 93.9 Tiger FM, online at AuburnTigers.com and on the TuneIn app. The game will also be televised on SEC Network with Tom Hart and Andy Kennedy on the call.  

Player to watch: Danjel Purifoy

Danjel Purifoy has his groove back. After scoring 11 points vs. Kentucky, the senior has reached double figures in four of the last five games and seven of the last 10 contests. Purifoy has knocked down multiple 3-pointers 10 times this season and is 8-of-19 from deep over the last three games. The Tigers are 8-0 this season when the Alabama native knocks down at least three 3s in a game.

Inside the series: Arkansas

Auburn and Arkansas will meet on the hardwood for the 53rd time in series history Tuesday night inside Bud Walton Arena. The Razorbacks lead the all-time series 33-19, but the Tigers have taken three of the last five.

In last year's contest, Auburn took a 79-56 decision inside Auburn Arena. The Tigers knocked down 17 3-pointers and outrebounded the Razorbacks, 42-35.

Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl is 8-6 in his head coaching career against Arkansas. Pearl is 3-3 vs. the Razorbacks while leading the Tigers, which includes a road win in 2016. He has a chance to become the first coach in program history to win twice at Arkansas with a victory Tuesday night. Former head coaches Tommy Joe Eagles (1993), Cliff Ellis (2003) and Jeff Lebo (2009) each amassed just one win in Fayetteville while at Auburn.

Road Trippin'

Auburn is back on the road to continue conference play. The Tigers have won seven games away from Auburn Arena so far in 2019-20. The seven wins are the most in the SEC away from home, leading Florida (six), LSU (five) and South Carolina (five).

After the first month of SEC action, road teams are 21-35 in league play.

Magic number: 70

When Auburn scores 70 or more points, that typically has equaled victory as of late. The Tigers are currently riding the NCAA's second-longest winning streak when they score at least 70 points in a game.