AUBURN, Ala. – For No. 16 Auburn's upperclassmen, Tuesday's matchup with Texas A&M presents an opportunity to settle the score against a program that has beaten the Tigers five times in six meetings over the past four seasons.
Next Game:
vs. Texas A&M
Jan. 9, 2024
8 p.m. CT
TV: ESPN2
Radio: Auburn Sports Network
"This game really means a lot to me to play these guys and compete at the highest level," said fifth-year forward Jaylin Williams, Auburn's second-leading scorer and rebounder averaging 11.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. "Knowing they came off a tough loss at home they're going to come here hungry and we've got to be prepared."
Auburn's newcomers, on the other hand, approach their first Texas A&M game with a clean slate, aware of the recent history but unburdened by it.
"It's been communicated and we're all getting really prepared for the game tomorrow. We're super excited," said junior transfer Chad Baker-Mazara, who visited Texas A&M last year before signing with Auburn. "I've been looking to this game since I committed here. That's a game that's been checked on my calendar for a long time."
Last season, the Aggies ended Auburn's 28-game home winning streak, at the time the nation's longest.
"They've clearly had our number," Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said. "Texas A&M has had their way with us so we have great respect for them."
The Aggies lead NCAA D-I in offensive rebounding with 18.29 per game. Holding their own on the battle of the boards, says Pearl, will be paramount.
"They're rebounding 45 to 46 percent of their misses," Pearl said. "That means roughly half the time they shoot, they go get it. Half the time they miss a free throw, they go get it. They're physical so we're going to have to be able to play through all kinds of contact. We'll be ready. We'll check out, but that will just be the beginning of the party."
Auburn looks to build on its momentum after routing Arkansas 83-51 on the road in its SEC opener to climb nine spots in the AP poll while Texas A&M lost at home 68-53 to LSU.
Seeking its eighth consecutive victory, Auburn (12-2, 1-0) hosts Texas A&M (9-5, 0-1) Tuesday at 8 p.m. CT at Neville Arena on ESPN2. Andy Burcham and Sonny Smith will broadcast the game on the Auburn Sports Network.
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer
PLAYER TO WATCH: CHAD BAKER-MAZARA
Junior wing Chad Baker-Mazara was the spark plug for the offense in Auburn's wins over Penn (88-68) and Arkansas (83-51) last week. He recorded his seventh game in double figures this season and matched his season high with 16 points at Arkansas. He also added four rebounds and three assists in the Tigers' sixth all-time road win in Fayetteville.
Baker-Mazara ranks second in the SEC in free throw percentage, shooting at an 89.1 percent clip (41 of 46). He has scored in double figures in three straight games and is averaging 15.0 points on 14-of 26 from the field, including 6-of-11 from deep, in that stretch.
INSIDE THE SERIES: TEXAS A&M
This will be the 22nd all-time meeting between Auburn and Texas A&M on the hardwood. The Aggies hold a 15-6 lead in the series including a 7-2 advantage in Auburn and a 6-1 record in Neville Arena. They have won three straight on Auburn's home court. The Aggies swept the season series last year, upsetting the then No. 15-ranked Tigers 79-63 in Neville Arena to end Auburn's nation-leading 28-game home winning streak.
NOTABLE
» Winners of its last seven, Auburn is one of the hottest teams in America winning all of those contests by 15 or more points, including a 32-point win at Arkansas on Saturday. The Tigers moved up nine spots in this week's AP Top 25 to No. 16.
» Auburn is looking to start SEC play 2-0 for the fourth time in the last seven seasons (4-0 in 2018, 3-0 in 2020 and 10-0 in 2022). Prior to 2018, the Tigers started SEC play 2-0 just once in the previous 14 years with a 2-0 start in 2013.
» Auburn is playing elite basketball on both ends of the floor. The Tigers are one of only four teams in KenPom's Top 10 when it comes to offensive and defensive efficiency, joining the likes for Arizona, Houston and Purdue.