No. 13 Auburn ready for challenge from battle-tested Texas Southern

AUBURN, Ala. – No. 13 Auburn hosts Texas Southern in Neville Arena on Friday evening, and if anyone is aware of how hyped Texas Southern can be for the sport, it is Zep Jasper. 

The senior guard was a mid-major participant at College of Charleston earlier than transferring to Auburn, and through his time with the Cougars, they beat groups like Memphis and Providence and gave others like North Carolina, LSU and Oklahoma State all they might deal with. 

Now Jasper is on the opposite aspect, enjoying the function of Goliath and warding off David. 

“We always talk about how no matter who we play, we’ve got to be Auburn,” Jasper mentioned. “We’ve got to come out with the intensity, the fight, the authority and just play Auburn basketball. You can’t take any team lightly. I feel like coming from College of Charleston, you’ve got to be ready because that’s their big game. That’s their game of the season.”

Texas Southern will not be intimidated both. The visiting Tigers, led by former LSU head coach Johnny Jones, have already performed on the highway at No. 25 Texas Tech and No. 3 Houston this season, they usually took down Arizona State in a neutral-site recreation Sunday. Last 12 months, they went to Florida and knocked off a prime 20 Gators group. 

“They’ve got four starters back from last year’s NCAA Tournament team, and they’ve played an unbelievable schedule.” Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl mentioned. “They’re not going to be intimidated. They’re older, extremely well-coached. So, it will be a good challenge.”

For Auburn, 11 gamers scored 4 or extra factors in Tuesday evening’s win over Winthrop, together with freshman Chance Westry who made his collegiate debut and chipped in 5 factors, two rebounds and two assists in 16 minutes. 

Auburn and Texas Southern will tip off at 7 p.m. CT from Neville Arena. Andy Burcham and Sonny Smith may have the radio name on 93.9 Tiger FM, on-line at AuburnTigers.com and on the TuneIn app. The recreation can even be streamed completely on SEC Network+.

PLAYER TO WATCH: DYLAN CARDWELL

Junior middle Dylan Cardwell at present leads the SEC and is No. 3 nationally in blocks per recreation (4.67). He swatted a career-high 5 pictures in every of the primary two video games towards George Mason and USF. Auburn as soon as once more leads the nation in blocked pictures per recreation (9.3) as Cardwell carries the torch for 2022 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Walker Kessler, who set the college’s single season report for blocked pictures (155) final 12 months. 

INSIDE THE SERIES: TEXAS SOUTHERN

Auburn leads 4-0 within the all-time sequence with Texas Southern. All video games within the sequence have been performed on Auburn’s house courtroom. The two sides final performed in December 2020 in the course of the COVID season when the Tigers earned an 80-63 victory. Current senior Allen Flanigan led the way in which with 18 factors whereas Jaylin Williams posted 15 factors and 6 rebounds. 

The closest recreation within the sequence was a 1-point win by Auburn, 61-60, on Dec. 23, 2014.

1,000 POINT CLUB WATCH

Johni Broome collected his 1,000th profession level versus Winthrop on Tuesday evening. He additionally recorded his thirty sixth profession double-double with 18 factors and 13 rebounds. He reached that milestone in 67 profession video games performed for Morehead State and Auburn mixed. His teammates, Wendell Green Jr. and Zep Jasper, are additionally closing in on 1,000 profession factors. 

Career Points

Johni Broome: 1,017

Wendell Green Jr.: 916

Zep Jasper: 883

CLEANING THE GLASS

The Tigers grabbed 53 rebounds towards Winthrop. It marked the fifth most rebounds in a single recreation within the Bruce Pearl Era at Auburn. They at present rank No. 8 nationally in rebounds per recreation (47.33) and lead the nation in offensive rebounds per recreation (20.67).