Auburn visits LSU to start 'fast and furious' stretch run

AUBURN, Ala. - After an unexpected storm-induced postponement, Auburn returns to the court Saturday at LSU, hoping to successfully start a stretch run against NCAA Tournament-bound teams.

This week's wintry weather first delayed, then postponed Auburn's scheduled home game against Mississippi State, which may end up being rescheduled.

"If we had known we had a bye week, we would have approached it a little differently," Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said. "We spent Saturday, Sunday and Monday preparing for Mississippi State, and then come to find out we're playing LSU. Then we've got to get the staff together and quickly drill down on LSU, which are really different teams.

"We got a chance to work on us a little bit this week, which was good. The kids got a chance to get caught up a little bit academically, which I think is good." 

After the LSU game, Auburn plays Florida and Tennessee at home, then travels to Tuscaloosa on March 2 before a potential makeup game against Mississippi State.

"These last five games, four of which are scheduled because we still don't know the Mississippi State date yet, will come fast and furious," Pearl said. "Four games against NCAA Tournament teams. The thing I've been talking to our guys about is our team right now does not have the math. We're probably, as far as teams going to the tournament, seventh in the NET in the league. 

"We would be out of the tournament right now if it was being played. Based on the math, we're not good enough. What are we going to do with four teams that are good enough? Can we get to the point where the math would have made us eligible? That will be a tall one. That's going to be tough starting at LSU. It is certainly a goal worthy to be competing for."

Seeking its fifth series win in six meetings, Auburn (11-11, 5-8) tips off vs. LSU (13-6, 8-4) at 3 p.m. CT Saturday at Maravich Center on ESPN with Tom Hart and Dalen Cuff on the call. Andy Burcham, Sonny Smith and Brad Law will handle the Auburn Sports Network broadcast, heard locally on 93.9 FM.

"All of our guys are excited about the matchup," Pearl said. "You've got to play every game like it could be your last."
Player to Watch: JT Thor
JT Thor made history with his performance at Kentucky last Saturday. He became the only freshman in the the last decade to have at least 24 points and nine rebounds in a road game at Rupp Arena. Thor is one of just four players overall to hold that stat line since at least 2010, joining ETSU's Isiah Brown, UT Arlington's Brandon Edwards and LSU's Trendon Watford.
 Inside the Series: LSU
Auburn and LSU are set to square off for the 157th time in series history on Tuesday. LSU holds an 86-70 advantage all-time, but Auburn has won 12 of the last 18 dating back to 2009, which including four of the last five overall.

Auburn is 25-47 vs. LSU in Baton Rouge, however, the two teams have split the last 10 duels at the Maravich Center. Auburn is 2-1 at LSU under head coach Bruce Pearl, earning wins in 2015 (81-77) and 2017 (98-75). Auburn dropped an 83-78 decision in its last trip to Baton Rouge in 2019.

Pearl is 11-6 against LSU in his career and is 2-1 vs. LSU head coach Will Wade with all three matchups taking place at their current schools.

Last season, Auburn won a thriller against LSU inside Auburn Arena, 91-90 in overtime when J'Von McCormick beat the buzzer on a runner inside the paint.
 Scorching the Nets
Auburn has consistently been one of the highest-scoring teams in the SEC under head coach Bruce Pearl. At 78.8 points per game, the Tigers are fourth in the league in scoring.

Auburn is on pace to average 78 points per game for the fifth consecutive season. That has has only been accomplished one time ever from the 1973-74 season through the 1977-78 campaign. The Tigers averaged 78 points per game last season, 79.7 in 2018-19, 81.9 in 2017-18 and 80.4 in 2016-17.

Auburn has amassed five 90-point games so far this season, which is tied for the 15th-most in college basketball and tied with Arkansas and LSU for the most in the SEC. It is also tied for the 13th-most 90-point games in a season in the Auburn record books.

Auburn's record of 90-point games in one season is eight held by five teams: 2018-19, 2017-18, 1998-99, 1991-92 and 1970-71.