AUBURN, Ala. — No. 2 Auburn (9-1) will face Georgia State (4-6) Tuesday night in Neville Arena. With students out of town for Christmas break, the environment will not be quite as rowdy as typical, but Tuesday presents another opportunity for the Tigers to show they are one of the best teams in the country.
“This is a game, one of really two games without our students here,” Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl said.
The Tigers will look to continue an impressive season start with only three non-conference games left before SEC play begins. Auburn returns to action after throttling Ohio State on Saturday in Atlanta and will have an opportunity for another big win over Georgia State.
The Panthers are arguably the worst team Auburn will play all season, ranked 291 in the NET. Georgia State has played two SEC opponents this season and given up over 100 points in both games. The Panthers lost those two games by an average of 32 points.
One area where Georgia State could present a challenge for Auburn is its size. The Panthers start four players listed at 6’5 or taller with the shortest starter listed at 6’1. Auburn’s size has given many of its opponents fits this season, but Georgia State could have the players to match.
“They have great size and they have a really good inside game,” Pearl said. “Their power forward is averaging a double-double, and their center is probably an even better scorer.”
The Panthers have four players averaging double digits with their leading, forward Zarique Nutter, averaging nearly 18 points per game. While the Panthers could be more prolific offensively, they find ways to get to the free-throw line. Auburn is a foul-happy team, averaging nearly 16 fouls per game. Georgia State shoots nearly 23 free throws per game on average. One way the Panthers could stay in this game is if Auburn sends them to the line.
“We’ve worked hard on (defending without fouling),” Pearl said. “For the most part, we’ve done pretty well. I’d say this is going to be one of the most physical games we’ve played.
Despite, the possible foul advantage and the possible letdown spot, Auburn should win this game convincingly and continue to add to an impressive non-conference resume.
“We’re not reflecting on where we are right now, Pearl said. “We are working on areas that we think we have to get better.”
The game is set to tip-off at 7 p.m. CT on the Auburn Sports Network and the SEC Network+.
