AUBURN, Ala. – Defense has been the calling card for No. 16 Auburn this season, but during this current four-game winning streak in the SEC, the Tigers are shooting 45 percent from the field and have 10 or fewer turnovers in the three of the four games.
Next Game:
at South Carolina
Jan. 21, 2023
2:30 p.m. CT
TV: SEC Network
Radio: Auburn Sports Network
The offense has picked up in conference play, and it's not just one or two players. Auburn currently has four players scoring in double figures through the first six SEC games.
"It's not just one or two people. There are a lot of weapons on our team," senior wing Allen Flanigan said. "We've got great depth. At any given time, any given night, somebody else can be the scoring leader and lead us in other categories."
Flanigan is currently fourth on that list averaging 10.7 points per game in SEC play. Ahead of him is Wendell Green Jr. (15.7), Johni Broome (12.5) and Jaylin Williams (12.3). Flanigan and Broome are both shooting 49 percent with Williams at 45 percent.
"Our balance is going to be so important," head coach Bruce Pearl said. "That's the way it's working out. The guys have been more productive – better shooting percentages from those four guys that are in double figures. Not only are they producing, but they're producing at a pretty good percentage."
Auburn will look to make it five straight wins Saturday at South Carolina.
The Gamecocks might be 1-4 in the conference and coming off a loss to Ole Miss, but they also beat Clemson earlier this season and took down Kentucky on the road.
"It's a lot about matchups, and it's a lot about respecting your opponent," Pearl said. "We will respect South Carolina because they've got a couple great wins this year. The win over Clemson and the win at Rupp (Arena)? Those are two of the best wins in our league."
Auburn and South Carolina will tip off at 2:30 p.m. CT from Colonial Life Arena in Columbia. Andy Burcham and Brad Law 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 Roy Philpott and Mark Wise on the call.
PLAYER TO WATCH: WENDELL GREEN JR.
Wendell Green Jr. scored 14 points against LSU on Wednesday night and had another perfect night from the free throw line (3-for-3). He has now made 23 consecutive free throws and is tops in the SEC at 84.5 percent from the charity stripe this season. Green is four made free throws away from tying the Auburn record for most consecutive free throws made (27), a record held by Danjel Purifoy (2016) and Frankie Sullivan (2009-10).
INSIDE THE SERIES: SOUTH CAROLINA
Auburn leads 29-19 in the all-time series with South Carolina and has won the last five meetings between the two schools. The Tigers swept the regular season series last year and clinched the SEC regular season championship with an 82-71 win over South Carolina on March 5. Jabari Smith scored a team-high 21 points followed by 18 from K.D. Johnson.
During his time in the SEC at Auburn and Tennessee, head coach Bruce Pearl is 8-3 all-time on the road at South Carolina – his best career road winning percentage (.727) in league play.
GETTING IT DONE DEFENSIVELY
On Wednesday night, Auburn's defense held LSU to 29.3 percent from the floor which is the lowest shooting percentage allowed by an Auburn team in SEC play in 12 years. It was also the fewest points scored by LSU at home in the last 15 years. Auburn has held each of its last two opponents under 23 points in the first half (LSU, 21; Mississippi State, 22).
LOOK WHO IS NO. 1
With Gonzaga's loss to Loyola Marymount on Thursday night, Auburn now boasts the nation's longest home-court winning streak at 28 games. It's a streak that began with a 77-72 victory over Tennessee on Feb. 27, 2021. The Tigers were perfect at home last season and have yet to lose at home this season, going 10-0 in Neville Arena.
NCAA Division 1 Active Home-Court Win Streak
1. Auburn: 28
2. UCLA: 19
3. Bradley: 17
4. Kansas: 16
T-5. Kent State: 15
T-5. Memphis: 15
T-5. Wake Forest: 15