For the second road game in a row, it’s likely that the Auburn basketball team will have to battle it out minus starting point guard Zep Jasper. The PG recently sat out of the Tigers’ narrow win over the Georgia Bulldogs and is unlikely to see action versus Arkansas due to a non-Covid related illness.
Jasper is widely credited as being Auburn basketball’s best defender, and the Tigers will miss him as they go up against an Arkansas team with an eight-win streak in conference play. Bench point guard Wendell Green Jr. and K.D. Johnson will both have to step up and play more minutes, just as they did versus the Bulldogs over the weekend.
Jeffrey Lee of Auburn Live reports that Jasper would be Auburn basketball’s best choice of a defender to put on Razorback J.D. Notae, but it’s likely the Tigers will go heavy on their use of Alan Flanigan in his absence.
Bruce Pearl’s squad isn’t the only group of people who will miss Zep Jasper tonight–Auburn basketball fans are just as disappointed by his absence on the road:
I don’t see Zep in any of Auburn MBB’s Instagram stories :/
— Kyle (@AllAubarn) February 8, 2022
Zep is our quickest defender and doesn’t turn the ball over. His absence is felt big time in those areas.
— Kevin White 🅿️ (@Runkle32) February 8, 2022
It’s going to be tough without Zep Jasper tonight
— The Up Tempo Podcast ❄️🥶 (@TheUpTempoPod) February 8, 2022
While it was reported by Auburn Undercover yesterday that Jasper was improving, he did not practice on Sunday, and Bruce Pearl was unable to confirm whether or not he would make the trip or see game action against the Razorbacks.
The 22-1 Auburn basketball team will tip-off against the Arkansas Razorbacks from Bud Walton Arena tonight at 6 p.m. central time.