In their eighth week in a row at the top of the AP Poll, the No. 1 Auburn basketball team will head to College Station to take on Texas A&M in their final road game of the season.
The Tigers are coming off a historic 94-78 win over Kentucky, their first win in Rupp Arena since 1988. They improved to 27-2 overall and 15-1 in conference play and locked down the outright SEC regular-season title after Alabama's buzzer-beater loss to Tennessee.
Auburn basketball is riding high, but there are still two games left to focus on ahead of the SEC tournament. Just two weeks ago, Texas A&M was ranked at No. 7 in the polls, and they are not a team to overlook with Alabama looming this weekend.
The Aggies have a 20-9 overall record and are 9-7 in conference play. However, they have lost their last four games to Mississippi State, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, and Florida. Here is what folks had to say about the midweek matchup.
Head coach Bruce Pearl on Texas A&M's physicality, per Auburn Undercover:
"A&M will be one of the more physical teams we've played against. Let's just say three of the most physical teams we've played against: Duke and Florida were two losses, and Tennessee was a close game. I think those would be the top three most physical teams we've played against. Whether physicality, you could say, bothers us or not... the three teams I listed are 1 or 2 seeds in the NCAA Tournament. So, whether it's physicality or just great teams, I can't tell you which."
Pearl on if he will rest players against Texas A&M, per Auburn Rivals:
"Absolutely not. Great question, but absolutely not. We have got a lot to play for. We're trying to be a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The possibility of being undefeated on the road this year is incredible."
Texas A&M head coach Buzz Williams on facing the Tigers, per 247 Sports:
"Statistically speaking, based on my tenure here, I would say that they're the best since we've been here. It's the best the league has ever been, and they're the best team in the best league. They lost to Florida, as you know. They lost at Duke. Their talent speaks for itself. They have a Naismith Player of Year on their team. Their roster is tremendous. They can play almost any style. I think throughout the course of the season, that's become pretty evident. Are you trying to speed them up? Are you trying to slow them down? Are they trying to speed you up? Are they trying to slow you down?
"Whether it's in the half court or the full court, a unique style of play and what they do in special situations that Coach Pearl has been known for throughout his career."
Pearl on Denver Jones' soft tissue injury outlook, per AL.com:
“We’ll know more later. That’s one of the disadvantages of actually having press conferences before practices. I just don’t know yet. It’s something that could hold him out, but it’s not something that’s going to hold him up for long.”