Auburn will need all hands on deck when the No. 21 Tigers face No. 6 Purdue on Saturday in Indianapolis. Luckily for Steven Pearl, Kevin Overton seems to be recovering fine from an injury that kept him out of most of Saturday’s game against UT-Chattanooga.
“Yeah, he practiced Monday and Tuesday,” Pearl said of the guard. “Still getting treatment on it every day. You can tell he’s favoring it a little, but not a ton. He’ll be fine and good to go on Saturday.”
A transfer from Texas Tech, Overton came into his first season on the Plains expected to be a key contributor, and so far, he has lived up to that billing. In 11 games, the Oklahoma City native averages 10.6 points and 3.2 rebounds while shooting 38.8 percent from the floor, helping provide a spark at the guard position needed after the departure of Miles Kelly last season.
Pearl saw that the 6-foot-5 junior was struggling with an injury early on against the Mocs, and knowing what lay ahead for his team, decided to sit him in the second half in the 92-78 victory.
“He just got hit on screens a few times and just stopped, where most times he would make multiple efforts to get to his man, and he just couldn't do it,” Pearl said. “We needed to shut him down in the second half just because I don’t think he could be the best version of himself out there.”
Auburn needs its best defender against the talented Boilermakers
Elyjah Freeman is also aware of how crucial Overton’s presence is on the floor for Auburn, calling him the Tigers’ best defender.
“He's just getting back on track and finding his shot,” Freeman said. “We probably need him the most on defense.”
Auburn and Purdue are set to tip off at 5:30 p.m. CT on Saturday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.