AUBURN, Ala. – Between amassing 607 victories, Auburn coach Bruce Pearl analyzed hundreds of college basketball games as a broadcaster, skills he put to good use last week watching the Tigers on TV.
Next Game:
Saint Louis
Dec. 18, 2021
8 p.m. CT
TV: CBS Sports Network
Radio: Auburn Sports Network
"You notice the fact that we've got depth, that jumped out of the screen, and we're talented. I thought we play hard," he said. "The things that are ailing us, the challenges we have, are as obvious to me on television as they are in practice every day."
Assistant coaches Wes Flanigan and Steve Pearl guided the Tigers to victories over Nebraska and North Alabama, respectively, during Bruce Pearl's two-game absence, earning souvenir caps from their head coach.
"Auburn on front, their name on the back and 1-0 on the side," Bruce Pearl said. "I'll never be able to touch that winning percentage."
Seeking its seventh straight win, No. 13 Auburn travels to Saint Louis Saturday, the Tigers' second road game of the season and second-to-last tune-up before SEC play begins Dec. 29 vs. LSU.
"It's a Quad One opportunity for us," said Pearl, thanking Saint Louis coach Travis Ford for playing Auburn in Birmingham in the 2019-20 season in the Mike Slive Invitational. "Looking forward to the opportunity."
As SEC competition nears, junior guard Allen Flanigan has returned to full-contact practices, Pearl said.
"We're healthy this week," he said, noting Chris Moore's flu recovery and the prospect of Jaylin Williams returning after missing Auburn most recent game with a toe injury. "We're in a good spot, health-wise."
With the holidays approaching, Pearl listed three items on his wish list for the Tigers.
"Continue to guard with the effort and energy we've been guarding with, pick up our physicality, and work harder to execute offensively," he said. "If we can improve on those three things, we'll be making progress."
No. 13 Auburn (9-1) and Saint Louis (8-3) tip off Saturday at 8 p.m. CT from Chaifetz Arena. Andy Burcham and Sonny Smith will have the radio call on 93.9 Tiger FM and online at AuburnTigers.com. The game will be televised on CBS Sports Network with Alex Del Barrio and Avery Johnson on the call.
PLAYER TO WATCH DEVAN CAMBRIDGE
Junior guard Devan Cambridge has been making the highlight reels on ESPN with his explosive dunks this season. He had back-to-back alley-oops against Nebraska on Dec. 11 and a reverse slam catching a half-court pass from Wendell Green Jr. versus North Alabama on Tuesday night. Cambridge has scored in double figures in four of the team's last five contests, including a 13-point effort against North Alabama.
INSIDE THE SERIES: SAINT LOUIS
Auburn leads 2-0 in the all-time series with Saint Louis. This will be a first-ever meeting on either programs' home court. The previous two meetings were held at a neutral site in Birmingham (2019) and Nashville (1969). Two years ago, the Tigers beat Saint Louis, 67-61, in Birmingham behind 20 points from J'Von McCormick.
Auburn is 23-9 (.718) all-time against opponents from the Atlantic 10 Conference.
CLEANING THE GLASS
Auburn grabbed a season high 50 rebounds, including 16 on the offensive glass, against North Alabama on Tuesday night. It was the second-most offensive rebounds in a single game this season, behind 17 at USF on Nov. 19.
The Tigers are averaging 12.7 offensive rebounds per game which ranks in the Top 50 nationally. Walker Kessler (23) and Dylan Cardwell (19) lead the team in that category.
FAST STARTS
Auburn has won six straight games and is 9-1 on the season. The Tigers have now started 9-1 or better in four of the last five seasons. Prior to the 2017-18 season, the last Auburn team to start 9-1 or better was the 1999-2000 team who finished 24-10.
Following wins over Nebraska and North Alabama, the Tigers moved up to No. 11 in the latest NET rankings. Saturday's opponent, Saint Louis, is ranked No. 69 in the NET.