AUBURN, Ala. – For Auburn, practice this week has been different. Typically, the regular-season finale is just another game, maybe a springboard into the tournament. This year, it's the last game the Tigers will play as part of the 2020-21 season.
"It's been a long time since we went to practice, and we knew the season was going to be over at a certain point because you're always going to the tournament. It was just different," Pearl said. "But we've managed to continue to come to practice and try to lock in, find ways and game plan and grind. I hope we can do that again."
If anything, Saturday's game is a springboard into next season. Auburn has a rare opportunity in college basketball to close out the season with a victory, but it won't come easy against a Mississippi State team who has won three of its last four and held its opponents to 55 points per game in those four games.
"I think the fact that they're in the middle of our league right now speaks to how good the league is," Pearl said. "They're 5-3 on the road. Two of the losses came at Alabama and at Tennessee, and they were single-digit losses. I think this is a Mississippi State team heading into the SEC tournament that's got a chance to make some noise."
Per Pearl, Auburn point guard Sharife Cooper is doubtful for Saturday's game.
The Tigers have struggled offensively without Cooper, but the defense has stepped up in recent games and played a major role in last Saturday's home win against Tennessee.
"The defense has been better, and the guys have really been competing," Pearl said. "We'll see if we can finish up and play our best game on Saturday, which will be required to win."
The game against Mississippi State will tip off at noon CT from Auburn 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 Mike Morgan and Mark Wise on the call.
Player to Watch: Allen Flanigan
Allen Flanigan has played at an All-SEC level in his second season on The Plains. Flanigan is averaging 14.2 points per game in league action, good for 15th in the conference. He's the only player in the SEC and one of just four underclassmen nationally with at least 350 points, 100 rebounds and 75 assists on the season. He's also one of three players in the SEC to average 14 points, five rebounds and two assists per game, joining Tre Mann (Florida) and Trendon Watford (LSU).
Inside the Series: Mississippi State
The Tigers and Bulldogs will square off for the 149th time in series history on Tuesday. Auburn holds a 78-70 advantage all-time and has won five of the last seven, including four of the last five overall. Auburn is 47-23 against Mississippi State at home, which includes a 5-1 record inside Auburn Arena.
Last season, Auburn won at Humphrey Coliseum for just the third time in 18 tries dating back to 2001. The Tigers had five players score in double figures led by J'Von McCormick's career-high 28, 20 of which came in the second half. With the win, Auburn started 1-0 in SEC play and improved to 13-0 to begin the 2019-20 campaign.
Head coach Bruce Pearl is 10-5 all-time against the Bulldogs and is 5-3 against Mississippi State head coach Ben Howland with all eight of the matchups coming with both coaches at their current schools.
Home Finale
Auburn has won three of its last four regular-season home finales. The Tigers defeated Missouri in 2017 (89-78), South Carolina in 2018 (79-70) and No. 5 Tennessee in 2019 (84-80). Auburn's lone loss in that span was to Texas A&M last season when the Aggies spoiled what would have been a perfect record at home. The Tigers ended last season 16-1 inside Auburn Arena.
SEC Community Service Team
Auburn center Babatunde Akingbola has been named to the SEC Men's Basketball Community Service Team. The Ogun, Nigeria native has used his infectious outgoing personality to be a great teammate and ambassador for Auburn University.
In just his second year, Akingbola has been involved in a variety of community service projects. He has been a mentor for students at nearby Drake Middle School and has read to children in the surrounding area at Cary Woods Elementary and Ogletree Elementary.
Akingbola has also participated in an encouragement Zoom with Our House - an after-school ministry that provides a Christ-centered, home environment in which children can grow spiritually, academically, and socially. He also visited with and provided encouragement to children with serious illnesses at Children's Hospital of Alabama in Birmingham. Akingbola has also assisted with the SAAC annual food and toiletry drives.
Auburn closes season at home with Mississippi State
