Auburn bounces back against Missouri, looks ahead to showdown vs. Bama

The Auburn basketball team needed a win badly. Coming off a 3 game losing streak and falling out of the AP Top 25 rankings. This ended the second longest streak of consecutive weeks being ranked in program history.

Mizzou came in with only one win in the conference but didn’t seem like it in the first half. Auburn held only a 34-31 lead going into the halftime break and tension in Auburn Arena was high. The seats weren’t very full and it was a very surprisingly calm atmosphere in the building on Wednesday night.

This was the first home game in a 3 game stretch for the Tigers and to get back on track, they needed to get this one.

It was a tale of two halves, though, as Auburn went on to outscore Missouri 58-34 in the second to pull away with a 92-58 victory. Jared Harper led all scorers with 16 points and added 5 assists. And ladies and gentlemen…I have an announcement..

CHUMA OKEKE HAS ARRIVED.

We have been waiting on this day all season.

The day where Chuma Okeke, an All-SEC Freshman performer last season, came alive and seem to replace Mustapha Heron as Auburn’s 3rd scoring option.

Chuma had 14 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, and led the team with a 19 PER.

This is the Chuma we all know and love. This is the Chuma we want every time Auburn touches the floor.

Bryce Brown was his usual efficient self, shooting 4 of 10 from behind the arc amassing 14 points to go along with 4 rebounds.

There isn’t a whole lot else to go over for this game. Auburn was favored big and won big. The team shot well as a whole and also forced 20 turnovers which led to 28 points of turnovers.

On to Bama

The Tide are 13-7 overall and 4-3 in the SEC. They have 3 wins over ranked opponents in the month of January: Kentucky, Ole Miss, and Mississippi State.

The Tide last played Mississippi State, ranked #22 at the time and had just come off a win over Auburn.

Alabama shot 1 of 15 from 3 point range but still managed to win 83-79. Donte Hall scored 19 points leading the team, and John Petty had 13 off the bench.

Keys to the game

The key to beating this team is to limit them from deep and to not let their size take over. Hall has a body like Horace Spencer, only Hall is much thicker and much stronger.

Last season, Alabama beat Auburn 2 out of 3 times, but Auburn managed to win the one played in Auburn Arena. The best atmosphere in the SEC needs to make a presence Saturday, and I believe it will.

Prediction

Auburn is coming off a relief win over Missouri, while Bama seems to be peaking at the right time.

Of course I’m bias for Auburn, but I do think Alabama has enough momentum and motivation to pull this one off. If there is one thing to be learned from Auburn over the past 2 years, it’s to not doubt them at home.

Auburn 85 Alabama 76

War Eagle.