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Auburn Basketball: Missouri loss exposes why ’17-’18 a key year for Pearl

By Chris Roush

Feb 18, 2017; College Station, TX, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl on the sidelines against the Texas A&M Aggies during the second half at Reed Arena. Texas A&M won 81-62. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2017; College Station, TX, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl on the sidelines against the Texas A&M Aggies during the second half at Reed Arena. Texas A&M won 81-62. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /
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1. Defense

auburn basketball
Mar 8, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Missouri Tigers forward Kevin Puryear (24) is defended by Auburn Tigers forward LaRon Smith (12) during game two of the SEC Conference Tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

Auburn gave up 79.6 points per game this year, which ranks 323rd overall in the NCAA. That’s horrible. There are 347 teams in Division 1.

Too many times this season an Auburn player allowed an opponent to have an open shot, and too many times this season Auburn did not get back fast enough on defense to prevent a fast break. Exhibit A was the second half against Florida. Exhibit B was the second half against Ole Miss.

Defense is taught. This year’s team was simply content to try to outscore its opponents. But scoring becomes less important when the other team isn’t scoring as much because you’ve locked them down.

Let’s start with benching players who give up easy baskets and letting them think about why they’re not playing. It make take some tough love from Pearl.

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