PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* NCAAB PLAY OF THE DAY >> Won Tuesday's 10*!
(NCAAB) Auburn vs. Missouri,
Point Spread: -2.00 | -110.00 Missouri (Home)
Result: Loss
Point Spread: -2.00 | -110.00 Missouri (Home)
Result: Loss
The set-up: Bruce Pearl entered his fourth season at Auburn off an 18-14 year, following season of just 15 and 11 wins, However, the Tigers did return all five starters. Still, no one predicted Auburn to be 17-2 (5-1 SEC) as the month of January nears its end. Missouri entered the current season off an 8-24 year (2-16 in SEC), after winning just nine and 10 games the previous two season. However, new head coach Cuonzo Martin had four starters returning plus boasted five-star recruits like the 6-10 Michael Porter Jr. and his 6-11 brother, Jontay Porter. However, Michael Porter's season ended after one game with a season-ending back injury. Still, Missouri is 13-6 (3-3 in SEC), giving the team more wins than in any of the past three season.
Auburn: The Tigers had their 14-game win streak snapped with a 76-71 loss at Alabama a week ago Wednesday but rebounded for a 79-65 home win over Georgia on Saturday. Auburn likes to push the pace with its trio of talented guards, Bryce Brown (16.4), Mustapha Heron (15.0 & 5.1) and Jared Harper (12.5 & 5.2 APG). Getting out in transition likely will be key against Missouri's height advantage, as Auburn doesn't start anyone taller than 6-7 and 6-3 SF Desean Murray (10.8 & 7.3) is the team's top rebounder. However, despite an undersized frontcourt which features the 6-7 McLemore (7.9 & 5.8) and the 6-8 Okeke (7.5 & 5.7) coming off the bench, Auburn has outrebounded 14 of its 19 opponents. As for scoring points, the Tigers are averaging a healthy 85.3 PPG (15th).
Missouri: Without Michael Porter, Missouri has been balanced at the offensive end, with six player chipping in between 7.4 and 15.2 PPG. Graduate transfer guard Kassius Robertson (15.2) and 6-7 senior forward Jordan Barnett (14.5 & 6.2) are the only ones averaging in double digits. However, the Tigers have excellent frontcourt depth with 6-10 freshmen Jeremiah Tilmon (8.7 & 4.4) and 6-11 Jontay Porter (8.2 & 6.7) making an impact at both ends of the floor. Their emergence has pushed the 6-7 Kevin Puryear (9.4 & 4.8) to a reserve role. However, he could be a major factor having averaged 16.8 points and 8.9 rebounds in four career meetings with Auburn.
The pick: Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl is a little worried, as Auburn is 145th in the nation in three-point field goal defense and Missouri features three players -- Jordan Barnett, Kassius Robertson and Jordan Geist -- who all shoot better than 40 percent from behind the arc. Missouri is allowing 65.6 PPG (36th) and has held nine straight opponents under their season scoring average, while keeping its six SEC opponents an average of 14.8 points below their season averages. The Tigers are 9-1 SU at home, with their lone loss coming 77-75 to Florida in a game decided at the buzzer. Make Missouri a 10* play.
Auburn: The Tigers had their 14-game win streak snapped with a 76-71 loss at Alabama a week ago Wednesday but rebounded for a 79-65 home win over Georgia on Saturday. Auburn likes to push the pace with its trio of talented guards, Bryce Brown (16.4), Mustapha Heron (15.0 & 5.1) and Jared Harper (12.5 & 5.2 APG). Getting out in transition likely will be key against Missouri's height advantage, as Auburn doesn't start anyone taller than 6-7 and 6-3 SF Desean Murray (10.8 & 7.3) is the team's top rebounder. However, despite an undersized frontcourt which features the 6-7 McLemore (7.9 & 5.8) and the 6-8 Okeke (7.5 & 5.7) coming off the bench, Auburn has outrebounded 14 of its 19 opponents. As for scoring points, the Tigers are averaging a healthy 85.3 PPG (15th).
Missouri: Without Michael Porter, Missouri has been balanced at the offensive end, with six player chipping in between 7.4 and 15.2 PPG. Graduate transfer guard Kassius Robertson (15.2) and 6-7 senior forward Jordan Barnett (14.5 & 6.2) are the only ones averaging in double digits. However, the Tigers have excellent frontcourt depth with 6-10 freshmen Jeremiah Tilmon (8.7 & 4.4) and 6-11 Jontay Porter (8.2 & 6.7) making an impact at both ends of the floor. Their emergence has pushed the 6-7 Kevin Puryear (9.4 & 4.8) to a reserve role. However, he could be a major factor having averaged 16.8 points and 8.9 rebounds in four career meetings with Auburn.
The pick: Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl is a little worried, as Auburn is 145th in the nation in three-point field goal defense and Missouri features three players -- Jordan Barnett, Kassius Robertson and Jordan Geist -- who all shoot better than 40 percent from behind the arc. Missouri is allowing 65.6 PPG (36th) and has held nine straight opponents under their season scoring average, while keeping its six SEC opponents an average of 14.8 points below their season averages. The Tigers are 9-1 SU at home, with their lone loss coming 77-75 to Florida in a game decided at the buzzer. Make Missouri a 10* play.
