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Auburn Basketball: Getting back on track against Texas A&M

By Ty Roush

Feb 14, 2017; Auburn, AL, USA; Florida Gators center Kevarrius Hayes (13) blocks the shot of Auburn Tigers guard Jared Harper (1) during the first half at Auburn Arena. The Gators beat the Tigers 114-95. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2017; Auburn, AL, USA; Florida Gators center Kevarrius Hayes (13) blocks the shot of Auburn Tigers guard Jared Harper (1) during the first half at Auburn Arena. The Gators beat the Tigers 114-95. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports /
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Here we discuss Auburn basketball’s matchup against Texas A&M at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, following a loss against No. 15 Florida.

If there’s something that Texas A&M and Auburn basketball have in common, it’s that they’re both coming off a loss against the Florida Gators. Although the Aggies had a far better time holding down that Canyon Barry kid, there is still a bit of a roadblock that exists for the Tigers in College Station.

The Tigers tied the Gators 50-50 going into halftime in what was another impressive showing in the first half, something Auburn has grown talent for doing. In what became another terrible second half — giving up more than 60 points for a second consecutive game — many lost hope in the drive to make the NCAA Tournament.

While this is all fine and understandable, there’s no time to just give up. People can see what Auburn is capable of doing, they’re an important piece of the much larger SEC resurgence in men’s basketball. If you’re looking at what’s happening these past few games and how they’re ending, you’re probably not looking ahead to what 2017-18 brings. This is foreshadowing — if you’ve ever read a book, you probably know how this story ends.

Had anyone ever expected Auburn to score 95 points?

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There were six on the roster who scored in double digits, two coming from the bench. Had Mustapha Heron found his groove and got things going, this game would have been much closer than the final score shows.

Hell, following the Duke basketball school of thought — throw up 3-pointers and see how things go from there — is how Auburn gets things done. Stopping on a dime, pulling up off a screen is what the Tigers seem to enjoy doing — they just don’t seem to understand the consequences of inexperience and what happens when this doesn’t work.

Texas A&M likes to get things done through their big men, with 6-foot-10 center Tyler Davis leading the Aggies in scoring with 13.8 points per game along with 7.2 rebounds. The Aggies like to roll things through the middle and work their way outside, which is something Auburn will have no difficult in stopping.

What must happen is some relaxation. A barrage of shooting that happened against Florida — not to mention Mississippi State, Tennessee — is great, but it doesn’t make any difference if that’s all that’s happening. Auburn is smart to focus on their outside shooting against these Aggies, but driving down the lane won’t be too difficult either.

I, for one, enjoy watching success in a catch-and-shoot offense. I do not feel like it is a healthy way to run a basketball game, however. There is something to incorporating each member of the offense (e.g. Austin Wiley, Danjel Purifoy, Ronnie Johnson) which leads to success.

This also means Anfernee McLemore has deserved more playing time — he has been, by far, the most reliable person on the court for the Tigers the past few weeks. He and Johnson have clicked in a way that could be useful against Texas A&M if they’re able to mesh with the rest of the freshmen.

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I believe that Auburn will go on to beat Texas A&M, and I do believe they can still make the tournament. With more success down the line in the regular season and some upsets in the tournament, it is a real possibility that these Tigers can make it.

You just have to believe.

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