AUBURN, Ala. - After a gritty 67-60 win in Neville on Wednesday, the No. 1 Auburn Tigers (24-2) look to their first conference rematch against the Georgia Bulldogs. The first time around Auburn escaped in the final seconds with a two-point victory, 70-68. The Tigers should expect another cage fight against a team that is fighting to stay on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble.
Georgia began the new year as a surprise tournament-level team. Wins over St. John's, Kentucky, and Oklahoma sparked discussion of the Bulldogs being a potential 6-seed according to several bracketologists. However, since their win against Oklahoma, the Bulldogs have won just two other conference games. On a three-game losing streak and in need of a resume-boosting win, Georgia will come into Neville hungry.
Part of Georgia’s shortcomings are not entirely their fault. Key contributors like Tyrin Lawrence, who has been injured, have been designated questionable for most of February. It is still uncertain whether Lawrence will take the court against Auburn.
Auburn, on the other hand, is once again hitting its stride as the regular season nears its end. Since their home loss to Florida, the Tigers have won three straight games. Although their offense has not been as elite as seen in December, the Tigers still hold the number one spot for the highest-rated offense in college basketball history, per Kenpom.
Auburn’s current hot streak can be attributed to Chaney Johnson, whose offensive efficiency has been nothing short of spectacular. Johnson has averaged 16 points per game over Auburn’s last three wins, including 20 points on 90 percent from the field against Vanderbilt.
Johni Broome has continued his National Player of the Year campaign, logging his 15th double-double of the season with 16 points and 13 rebounds against Arkansas on Wednesday. Broome did not log minutes in the previous game against Georgia due to a lower leg injury but will look to change the dynamic of how Auburn approaches this rematch.
Auburn will tipoff against the Bulldogs at 3 p.m. CT in Neville Arena. The game will be streamed on ESPN and radio coverage on the Auburn Sports Network.
