HOUSTON - Auburn makes the trip to Houston, Texas for a game that is technically a neutral site but will feel like a home game in the Toyota Center located a measly 10-minute drive from the Cougars campus. Both teams won their opening contest by a significant amount over inferior opponents. As both team's star players looked ready and in form in the openers, Johni Broome for Auburn and L.J. Cryer for Houston put up double-digit points for their squads.
Both programs got their tough non-conference schedules started with the huge matchup in Houston. The level of competition steps up fast for both programs as they look to grab a marquee win.
Auburn lost a lot of talent last year but kept its core. Johni Broome is a leader for the Tigers, and transfers such as Miles Kelly, who drained seven threes in the opening-night win, are going to be essential for Auburn.
Houston is a team that can put up incredible numbers on offense but also hangs their hat on defense, one of the toughest teams in the country Houston will be a great challenge for any team they come across.
Houston matches up well against Auburn will senior guard L.J. Cryer leads the cougar offense and the point is the biggest question mark for Auburn but with transfers such as JP Pegues to bolster the point guard position Auburn will hope to hold Houston’s fast break abilities.
All-around guard Milos Uzan will have a say in Saturday night's clash the transfer from Oklahoma had eight points, seven rebounds, and 10 assists in Houston's opening night win.
Individual talent and depth are what defines Houston but their defensive capabilities and ability to keep their opponents off of the glass is what makes them a championship contender.
For Auburn, the return of Johni Broome boosted the Tiger’s preseason championship hopes. The forward is one of the best in the country, his ability to draw the attention of opponents and stretch the floor opens up a lot of options for Auburn’s offense enabling a dynamic approach opponents can rarely keep a lid on.
Newcomers have bolstered the defending SEC champions returning core JP Pegues, Miles Kelly, and Jahki Howard along with others are going to be key in an early season test.
In Auburn’s opener, they sunk 16 threes on 45 percent shooting from beyond the arc, and keeping that volume and consistency will be key if they want to return to the plains with a win.
Tip-off of the Top 25 matchup is at 8:30 central time in the Toyota Center and will be televised on ESPNU in conjunction with the Auburn Sports Network.
