Auburn basketball is gaining momentum after the Tigers defeated the Troy Trojans 77-41 on Saturday behind 14 points from guard Allen Flanigan on 4-of-7 shooting from the floor.
The Tigers have won four straight games after starting the season with a 1-2 record. Auburn’s win over Troy on Saturday pushed the team to 5-2 overall through the first seven games.
Auburn led 43-10 at half time as Troy had trouble containing the Tigers’ offense at their end of the floor. In the second half, Auburn outscored the Trojans 34-31 but still managed to leave with a 36 point victory over a struggling Troy team.
Auburn forced 19 turnovers and led by as many as 38 in the dominating win. The Tigers never trailed in the game. Despite being ineligible for the NCAA Tournament, Bruce Pearl’s team could be a true SEC contender for the 2020-21 season.
As a team, Auburn is averaging 77 points per game, but allow an average of 76 to opposing teams. If the Tigers are going to prove to be a contender, those numbers have to differentiate more.
Auburn Basketball is Gaining Momentum
The Tigers are solid on offense, as Flanigan, JT Thor, and Jaylin Williams continue to lead the way offensively. The SEC only has a few true contenders so far this season with Arkansas, No. 16 Missouri, Auburn, and Florida leading the way.
Between Flanigan, Thor, and Williams, the Tigers average roughly 31 points per game just from those three players. Once the non-conference games are complete, that trio could be the key to Auburn paving its way to a regular-season SEC title.
With a favorable schedule, Auburn could surprise the doubters once conference play begins next week. After getting off to a slow start for the season, Auburn basketball is beginning to gain momentum at the perfect time.
The Tigers draw No. 16 Missouri and No.10 Tennessee at home in conference play. In the Big 12/SEC Challenge in January, Auburn hosts No. 2 Baylor in Auburn Arena.
Currently sitting at ninth overall in the SEC, the opportunity is there for Auburn to rise through the conference standings within the first few SEC games. While Arkansas will be a challenge, the Tigers don’t draw a Top 25 team until January 26th, when they host Missouri.
Auburn’s Favorable Schedule
As conference play looms, Pearl and the Tigers know they have to step up to have a shot at the SEC regular-season title. With no postseason berth, Auburn’s best-case scenario is to win the SEC.
However, with one final conference game remaining, Tuesday’s game against Appalachian State gives Auburn an opportunity to continue the momentum on both ends of the court before hosting Arkansas to open up SEC play on December 30th.
Auburn welcomes the Appalachian State Mountaineers to Auburn Arena as the Tigers look to close out the non-conference slate with a victory over another Sun Belt team. The Mountaineers come in with a 6-2 record and could provide a challenge for the Tigers.
Appalachian State averages 75 points per game. However, Auburn’s defense has been consistent as of late in forcing turnovers and holding opponents under 75 points. In the Tigers’ last three wins, all opponents have been held under 75 points in each game. The Auburn-Appalachian State game on Tuesday is set for a 2 pm tip-off.
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