Auburn basketball: Another game within a game
By Jay Phillips
Throughout this Auburn season, I’ve highlighted some of the fun one-on-one match ups that Auburn basketball has helped create. We’ve seen Samir Doughty and Isaac Okoro versus Davidson’s back court, Doughty versus Andre Fox and (of course) Okoro vs Anthony “Ant Man” Edwards.
Today we look at the next (potential) match up that should be on everyone’s radar: Okoro versus Tyrese Haliburton, two of NBA Draft Twitter’s favorite prospects.
Doughty could share defensive duties with Okoro when it comes to Haliburton, but as recently as yesterday (Jan. 24), Sam Vecenie of The Athletic had Haliburton mocked as the No. 9 overall pick and Okoro mocked at No. 12.
Like Okoro, Haliburton is a do-it-all guard with the ability to shut down your best player. However, Haliburton is a sophomore and his experience at Iowa State and playing with Team USA’s U19 team has allowed him to break out on both sides of the court this season.
Haliburton is also more of a true point guard than Okoro, but Okoro could still match up well with him when it comes to defense.
Haliburton is averaging 15.9 points per game and 7.4 assists per game while shooting 50 percent from the field and 41.1 percent from three.
According to KenPom, Haliburton is top 100 in offensive rating, effective field goal percentage, true shooting percentage and steal percentage. The 6’5” guard is also No. 21 in assist percentage.
Haliburton has even raised his level of play against top teams. While a little dated, this tweet shows that:
Iowa State only has two players averaging nine or more points per game
Compare that to Auburn, who has five players averaging more than nine points per game and four players averaging more than 10 points per game.
While Okoro versus Haliburton could be the best match up to watch, it could also spell victory for Auburn if Okoro wins it on the defensive end unless someone steps up for the Cyclones.
Outside of Haliburton, Iowa State hasn’t been a great defensive team. The Cyclones are giving up 72.1 points per game and have been out rebounded on the offensive and defensive glass throughout the season.
On top of that, opponents are shooting 42.5 percent from three and 47.4 percent from the field against the Cyclones. Okoro versus Haliburton will be a fun match up, but the most important thing for Auburn could be to build off of the offensive performance the Tigers had against South Carolina to see if Auburn can get the offense back to where it needs to be to compete at home and on the road in the SEC.
Tip-off is scheduled for 11 a.m. (central) on ESPN U.