Auburn (17-10, 6-8) will host Mississippi State (20-9, 7-7) on Thursday. This year's leap day brings huge March implications as Auburn currently sits as the last team in, in ESPN's most recent Bracketology. Auburn’s final home game means senior night for the Tigers who will have four players participating in the ceremony.
While Mississippi State is sitting relatively comfortably heading into the final two games of the regular season as a projected nine seed in this year's NCAA tournament Auburn sits on the most popable of bubbles. Projected as the last team in a win over the Bulldogs or Gators in their final two games would be huge for the Tigers’ resume with Thursday's matchup against the Bulldogs the clear favorite, for being a better win of the two games.
History is not on the Tigers’ side. They have lost their last 10 games against Mississippi State stretching back to January 2015.
Looking at Auburn’s revamped roster, it does not take long to realize this team is different from past years. Honesty Scott-Grayson, who leads the team in scoring with 17.8 points per game, will be the player the Tigers look to to lead the charge not only against the Bulldogs but into March as well.
Auburn will look to its supporting cast as well after a strong showing Sunday. In a game where Scott-Grayson struggled, Taylen Collins, JaMya Mingo-Young, and Sydney Shaw shared the load leading Auburn to a win. If the Tigers can find a way to get those performances in games where Scott-Grayson is on, they will be a dangerous team.
Time for statement games is running out, but both teams have a major opportunity Thursday night. The Tigers and the Bulldogs tip off at 7 p.m.at Neville Arena. Watch on SEC Network + or listen on the Auburn Sports Network.
