Heading into Athens last season, Auburn had the target on its back as the No. 1-ranked team in the nation and still undefeated in SEC play. The Tigers held off the Bulldogs' late rally for a 70-68 victory as a last-second tip by Georgia rimmed out.
Saturday’s matchup will have a different feel when the two rivals take the court. Mike White’s team is ranked No. 23 at 12-1, while the Tigers are 9-4, with all four losses coming against teams in the top 10.
Steven Pearl understands what the Bulldogs will try to do during the game.
We’ve got to play with purpose, play under control,” Pearl said. “They’re going to try to speed you up with their pressure and their press. We’ve got to build off what we did in the last game as far as sharing the ball with one another.”
Georgia leads the nation in scoring, averaging 99 points per game, led by Jeremiah Wilkinson with 17.3 points per game and Blue Cain at 15.7. The Bulldogs are also undefeated at home, and Pearl knows his team is facing a massive home-court advantage.
“Stegeman is going to be rocking,” Pearl said. “They’re ranked; they’re tied for the third-best start in program history. There’s a lot of excitement around the program right now.”
Tigers start march toward defending SEC championship
Through 13 games, Auburn is led by Keyshawn Hall in points (20.1) and rebounds (8.0). The matchup against the Bulldogs is also the first game in which the Tigers start their march toward defending their SEC regular-season title from last season. Pearl understands that for the team to accomplish that, it will be a grind through the conference schedule, but after playing a brutal non-conference schedule, the Tigers should be ready for it.
“We had to be pretty locked in for our non-conference slate to survive it,” Pearl said. “That’s the benefit of playing a tough schedule, you know what you’re getting into. I know the guys are really excited about the opportunity to play a rival on the road in our first conference game.”