AUBURN, Ala. – Bruce Pearl preaches two main things to his Auburn team throughout the season? Can we get better? And can we help the team win?
Next Game:
Georgia
Feb. 1, 2023
6 p.m. CT
TV: SEC Network
Radio: Auburn Sports Network
The first question will be put to the test Wednesday night when No. 25 Auburn hosts Georgia. How much have the Tigers improved since losing to Georgia on Jan. 4 in Athens? It was only the second SEC game for Auburn and one of just two losses in conference to this point.
"We lost at Georgia the first time, and they outplayed us," Pearl said. "We're playing better now than we were then. That's a good thing. But in some ways, they are too."
"That was the second game of conference play," added Auburn big man Johni Broome. "Now we're eight games in. I feel like it's going to be a different game. We've played them, so we're going to be able to watch our film on it.
"They've gotten better as well," Broome added. "They've had time to prepare. But I feel like these last six games we've played have helped us even though we lost two of them. They've helped us grow and let us get more used to each other, get more comfortable with each other."
Broome had one of his best games of the season in the first matchup with Georgia, leading Auburn with 22 points and 12 rebounds. It was his second-highest scoring output on the season and one of six double-doubles he's recorded.
However, even Broome – who was outstanding against Georgia – can find areas where he could have played better as he looks ahead to the rematch.
"I've got to do a better job of lowering my turnovers," he said. "I had four that game. Making plays, there was some good and some bad, but I can always fix some things."
"We've got to play better to beat Georgia this time," Pearl said.
Auburn and Georgia will tip off at 6 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 televised on SEC Network.
PLAYER TO WATCH: K.D. JOHNSON
Junior guard K.D. Johnson, who currently ranks fifth on the team in scoring (7.9 ppg) and second in steals (22), came alive in the second half at West Virginia on Saturday. He finished with 10 points, scoring in double figures for the first time since the Memphis game, and also had three of the team's seven steals. A transfer from Georgia, Johnson is 2-1 against his former school. He scored 20 points against the Bulldogs in Athens last year.
INSIDE THE SERIES: GEORGIA
The Auburn-Georgia rivalry is about as close as it gets on the hardwood with Auburn holding a 99-97 advantage. The Tigers, who swept the season series last year, will be looking to avenge a 76-64 loss Georgia on Jan. 4. Johni Broome led the way in the first meeting with 22 points and 12 rebounds. Allen Flanigan also scored in double figures with 11.
BATTLE AT THE CHARITY STRIPE
Two of the top free-throw shooters in the conference will face off Wednesday night with Auburn's Wendell Green Jr. (1st, 83.7 percent) and Georgia's Terry Roberts (4th, 82.9 percent).
Both players know how to get to the line. Green has drawn 92 fouls this season, and his 123 free throw attempts rank No. 47 nationally. Roberts is second on the team with 70 free throw attempts and made 9 of 12 from the line in the first meeting against Auburn.
ANOTHER WEEK IN THE TOP 25
Despite two losses last week, Auburn stayed inside The Associated Press Top 25 Poll at No. 25 this week. It's the 32nd-straight week the Tigers have been ranked going back to last season, which is a program record. The previous record was 30 consecutive weeks in the Top 25. Auburn is tied for No. 23 with UConn in the USA Today/Coaches Poll.