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Auburn Basketball: Tigers vs Missouri Game Info & Preview

By Nicholas Ian Allen

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The Auburn basketball team began the conference schedule with a 64-52 loss to Vanderbilt in Nashville. Now, the Tigers return to Auburn Arena for the SEC home opener against Missouri.

Auburn Tigers (8-6) vs Missouri Tigers (7-7)

  • Date: Saturday, January 10, 2015
  • Start Time: 6PM Central
  • Location: Auburn, AL
  • Arena: Auburn Arena
  • TV Info: SEC Network
  • Live Stream: WatchESPN
  • Odds (VegasInsider.com): Auburn (-5)

The SEC schedule didn’t get off to a great start for Auburn, who lost 64-52 to Vanderbilt Tuesday in Nashville. A long first half scoring drought dug the Tigers a 14-point hole they were unable to climb out of.

Jan 6, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Auburn Tigers guard KT Harrell (1) shoots against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Memorial Gym. The Commodores beat the Tigers 64-52. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

“We felt prepared, and I think the team felt like we could win,” Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl said. “When we struggled some at about the 12-minute mark or the 13-minute mark, I think it caught us off-guard. Not that we went in overconfident — I am just glad that the guys went in with some level of confidence that we can win this basketball game because of our preparation and because of our talent.”

Part of the problem for Auburn were below average performances by two of the most talented players on the roster: forward Cinmenon Bowers and guard K.T. Harrell. Bowers is one of only three major conference players in the country that averages a double-double, but he had just seven points and nine rebounds against the Commodores.

Similarly, Harrell entered the game as the SEC’s second leading scorer, but had just seven points. It was just the second time this season Harrell was held to single figures scoring, and only the third time in 44 career games at Auburn. For the Tigers to get back on track, Bowers and Harrell will need to get back on track.

Having the home crowd behind them will help. The Auburn basketball team is 7-1 at home this season, and has won five games in a row at Auburn Arena.

The Missouri Tigers come to Auburn Arena Saturday with a 7-7 overall record, but a 1-0 record in SEC play. Mizzou defeated LSU 74-67 in overtime Thursday. The Tigers from Columbia have played a tough non-conference schedule, and outside of a 69-61 season opening loss to UMKC, all of their losses this season have come to quality opponents.

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Johnathan Williams III is the best player on the Missouri roster, and he has improved in recent weeks. Williams has averaged 18.2 points and 9.2 rebounds across his past five games. He has scored in double figures in eight consecutive games.

Williams, at 6-foot-9 and 225 pounds, is the biggest player in Mizzou’s starting lineup, but the Tigers have three players listed at 6-foot-10 or taller on the bench. Massive 6-foot-11, 270-pound Keanau Post played a major role with 29 minutes against LSU had 12 points, seven rebounds and three blocks against the Bayou Bengals, and could be a key contributor again Saturday.

Auburn has more overall talent, and the home crowd should give Bruce Pearl’s squad an energy boost they missed in the first half against Vanderbilt. Expect the Auburn basketball team to score their first conference win of the 2014-15 campaign, and for Pearl to earn his first victory over an SEC opponent since 2011.

Projected Lineups:

Auburn

#5 Cinmeon Bowers, F, Jr., 6-foot-7, 278 pounds, 13.2 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 28.8 MPG
#25 Jordon Granger, F, Jr., 6-foot-8, 210 pounds, 4.9 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 21.9 MPG
#1 K.T. Harrell, G, Sr., 6-foot-4, 212 pounds, 17.2 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 32.6 MPG
#12 K.C. Ross-Miller, G, So., 6-foot, 178 pounds, 6.4 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 24.4 MPG
#14 Antoine Mason, G, Sr., 6-foot-1, 216 pounds, 15.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 30.5 MPG

Missouri

#14 Keith Shamburger, G, Sr., 5-foot-11, 170 pounds, 8.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.2 APG
#15 Wes Clark, G, So., 6-foot, 185 pounds, 8.9 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.9 APG
#12 Namon Wright, F, Fr., 6-foot-5, 200 pounds, 5.6 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 0.6 APG
#23 Jakeenan Gant, F, Fr., 6-foot-8, 207 pounds, 6.6 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 0.1 APG
#3 Johnathan Williams III, F, So., 6-foot-9, 225 pounds, 14.0 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 0.4 APG

Next: Football: Muschamp Will Make Best Use of His Players on Defense

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