AUBURN, Ala. – For the second time in three years, college basketball's signature pregame show, ESPN's College GameDay, will broadcast from Auburn Arena Saturday at 10 a.m. CT before the Tigers host Texas A&M.
Next Game:
Arkansas
Feb. 12, 2022
11 a.m. CT
TV: ESPN
Radio: Auburn Sports Network
"When ESPN could go anywhere in the country to televise college basketball, they have chosen Auburn," Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said. "We feel fortunate and blessed."
Auburn has designated the Texas A&M matchup as the program's annual AUTLIVE game, Auburn basketball's fight against cancer. In addition to honoring cancer survivors and promoting early detection, donations and proceeds from t-shirt sales will support local cancer patients.
"My dream is to walk out to the arena on Saturday and see every single person in the building with an AUTLIVE t-shirt on," Pearl said.
Texas A&M has won six of the seven previous meetings on Auburn's home court. After starting the season winning 15 of 17 including their first four SEC games, the Aggies have struggled of late, losing seven straight.
For the first time since Thanksgiving Day, the Tigers are looking to bounce back from a loss, after falling Tuesday in overtime at Arkansas.
"Our deal is the same as it's always been," Pearl said. "We've got to get better and see if we can win. We've got some work to do to play better."
No. 1 Auburn (22-2, 10-1) tips off against Texas A&M (15-9, 4-7) Saturday at 11 a.m. CT on ESPN with Dan Shulman and Jay Bilas following College GameDay. Andy Burcham and Sonny Smith will call the action on the Auburn Sports Network as the Tigers look to improve to 13-0 at home this season.
AUTLIVE
The Bruce Pearl Family Foundation is once again continuing the fight against cancer with the seventh year of AUTLIVE, Auburn basketball's fight against cancer. The best way to beat cancer is to detect it early and be able to fight it on your home court. This year's AUTLIVE game will take place in Auburn Arena on Saturday, Feb. 22 against Texas A&M
AUTLIVE raises the awareness of cancer prevention and detection while t-shirt sales and donations raise money to benefit cancer patients and their local hospitals.
Pearl and his coaching staff initiated the OUTLIVE program in 2009 at Tennessee in recognition of former Vol Chris Lofton, who beat testicular cancer through early diagnosis and local treatment. He went on to play the entire 2007-08 season while battling the disease.
For more information, please visit AUTLIVE.com.
PLAYER TO WATCH: WALKER KESSLER
Over the last five games, sophomore Walker Kessler is averaging 14.8 points, 12.2 rebounds and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 64.6 percent (31 of 48) from the field. In Tuesday's loss at Arkansas, he pulled down a career-high 19 rebounds – the most by an Auburn player since 2015 (Cinmeon Bowers). Kessler also blocked seven shots against the Razorbacks and now has four or more blocks in 16 of 24 games this season. His 104 blocked shots are tops in the nation and rank No. 2 in Auburn single-season history.
INSIDE THE SERIES: TEXAS A&M
The Aggies own a 12-5 record all-time against the Tigers, including perfect 5-0 mark inside Auburn Arena. The two teams split a pair of games in Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum.
Texas A&M has won two consecutive games in the series and five of the last six meetings. The last Auburn win came in January 2019 when the Tigers blew out Texas A&M, 85-66, on the road. Bryce Brown and Jared Harper combined for 39 points and nine 3-pointers.
Head coach Bruce Pearl is 2-7 all-time against Texas A&M.
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer