Missouri Tigers basketball vs. Auburn Tigers: TV, tipoff time and a prediction
The details
Tipoff: 5 p.m. Saturday
Where: Mizzou Arena, Columbia, Missouri
TV: ESPN2
Radio: KMBZ (98.1 FM)
Projected lineups
P | No. | Auburn | Ht. | Yr. | PPG |
F | 50 | Austin Wiley | 6-11 | Sr. | 10.0 |
F | 24 | Anfernee McLemore | 6-7 | Sr. | 7.9 |
F | 23 | Isaac Okoro | 6-6 | Fr. | 13.1 |
G | 10 | Samir Doughty | 6-4 | Sr. | 16.0 |
G | 5 | J’Von McCormick | 6-0 | Sr. | 11.4 |
P | No. | Missouri | Ht. | Yr. | PPG |
F | 14 | Reed Nikko | 6-10 | R-Sr. | 4.5 |
F | 24 | Kobe Brown | 6-7 | Fr. | 5.7 |
G | 4 | Javon Pickett | 6-5 | So. | 7.6 |
G | 12 | Dru Smith | 6-3 | R-Jr. | 11.7 |
G | 1 | Xavier Pinson | 6-2 | So. | 8.6 |
About Auburn (22-2, 9-2 SEC): No. 11 Auburn is coming off a stretch where it’s played four overtime games through a five-game stretch. Auburn coach Bruce Pearl’s Tigers play close games and are battle-tested, clawing their way to a great record and into the thick of the SEC race. They’ve defeated solid teams and spread the ball out on offense, led by Samir Doughty and Isaac Okoro. Okoro is questionable for Saturday’s game. KenPom ranks them No. 32.
About Missouri (11-13, 3-8 SEC): The Tigers are coming off two of their better performance in defeating Arkansas and falling just short of an upset to No. 25 LSU. It’s been a flip for Mizzou as it looks to battle through injury issues to Jeremiah Tilmon and Mark Smith. The emergence of Tray Jackson has been noteworthy as he looks to string together his third straight game where he sees consistent minutes. KenPom has Mizzou at No. 115.
Prediction: Fully expect this to be a close one as Auburn has flirted with danger all season. While the record is great at 22-2, close games have been Auburn’s specialty this season. That gives Mizzou a chance to pull off another home win. There’s some momentum after the past two games, earning MU some confidence going forward. Add in the home factor and Mizzou isn’t in a horrible spot to pull off an upset.
Auburn 73, Missouri 70