AUBURN, Ala. – No. 13 Auburn hosts Texas Southern in Neville Arena on Friday night, and if anybody knows how hyped Texas Southern will be for the game, it's Zep Jasper.
Next Game:
Texas Southern
Nov. 18, 2022
7 p.m. CT
TV: SEC Network+
Radio: Auburn Sports Network
The senior guard was a mid-major player at College of Charleston before transferring to Auburn, and during his time with the Cougars, they beat teams like Memphis and Providence and gave others like North Carolina, LSU and Oklahoma State all they could handle.
Now Jasper is on the other side, playing the role of Goliath and fending off David.
"We always talk about how no matter who we play, we've got to be Auburn," Jasper said. "We've got to come out with the intensity, the fight, the authority and just play Auburn basketball. You can't take any team lightly. I feel like coming from College of Charleston, you've got to be ready because that's their big game. That's their game of the season."
Texas Southern won't be intimidated either. The visiting Tigers, led by former LSU head coach Johnny Jones, have already played on the road at No. 25 Texas Tech and No. 3 Houston this season, and they took down Arizona State in a neutral-site game Sunday. Last year, they went to Florida and knocked off a top 20 Gators team.
"They've got four starters back from last year's NCAA Tournament team, and they've played an unbelievable schedule." Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl said. "They're not going to be intimidated. They're older, extremely well-coached. So, it will be a good challenge."
For Auburn, 11 players scored four or more points in Tuesday night's win over Winthrop, including freshman Chance Westry who made his collegiate debut and chipped in five points, two rebounds and two assists in 16 minutes.
Auburn and Texas Southern will tip off at 7 p.m. CT from Neville 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 streamed exclusively on SEC Network+.
PLAYER TO WATCH: DYLAN CARDWELL
Junior center Dylan Cardwell currently leads the SEC and is No. 3 nationally in blocks per game (4.67). He swatted a career-high five shots in each of the first two games against George Mason and USF. Auburn once again leads the nation in blocked shots per game (9.3) as Cardwell carries the torch for 2022 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Walker Kessler, who set the school's single season record for blocked shots (155) last year.
INSIDE THE SERIES: TEXAS SOUTHERN
Auburn leads 4-0 in the all-time series with Texas Southern. All games in the series have been played on Auburn's home court. The two sides last played in December 2020 during the COVID season when the Tigers earned an 80-63 victory. Current senior Allen Flanigan led the way with 18 points while Jaylin Williams posted 15 points and six rebounds.
The closest game in the series was a 1-point win by Auburn, 61-60, on Dec. 23, 2014.
1,000 POINT CLUB WATCH
Johni Broome collected his 1,000th career point versus Winthrop on Tuesday night. He also recorded his 36th career double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds. He reached that milestone in 67 career games played for Morehead State and Auburn combined. His teammates, Wendell Green Jr. and Zep Jasper, are also closing in on 1,000 career points.
Career Points
Johni Broome: 1,017
Wendell Green Jr.: 916
Zep Jasper: 883
CLEANING THE GLASS
The Tigers grabbed 53 rebounds against Winthrop. It marked the fifth most rebounds in a single game in the Bruce Pearl Era at Auburn. They currently rank No. 8 nationally in rebounds per game (47.33) and lead the nation in offensive rebounds per game (20.67).