LEXINGTON, Ky. — No. 1 Auburn (26-2, 14-1) heads to Lexington to take on Kentucky (19-9, 8-7) on Saturday. History is on the line in various ways in this year’s edition of Tigers vs. Wildcats.
Auburn enters the matchup seeking its first win in Lexington since 1988. The Tigers have come close multiple times, including a seven-point loss in 2020 and a two-point loss in 2021. Overall, however, Kentucky has dominated the series at home.
"I think the reason why we have not won there is because historically Kentucky’s been the best team in the league and historically we haven’t been one of the best teams in the league over a long period of time,” Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl said. “But we’re trying to, we’re trying to put a dent in that right now.”
Perhaps the biggest history that can be made on Saturday has nothing to do with the long losing streak in Lexington for Auburn. The biggest history Auburn could make is clinching at least a share of the SEC regular-season championship.
Auburn currently leads the SEC with only one loss. With two games to play, a win over the Wildcats would secure a two-game cushion over Alabama. The best the Tide could do would be to tie the Tigers for the SEC title. In what has been arguably the best conference in college basketball history this season, Auburn securing a share of the SEC title with two conference games remaining would be an incredible feat.
As for the game itself, Auburn enters coming off one of its better offensive performances of the season – scoring over 100 points against Ole Miss in a 30-point victory. Saturday will also be the Tigers' first game away from Neville Arena in nearly two weeks.
Kentucky enters Saturday coming off a thrilling win at Oklahoma on Wednesday night. The Wildcats secured the one-point victory in the final seconds of the game. Kentucky is also returning to full strength at the right time.
Key players, guard Lamont Butler and guard Jaxson Robinson both returned from injury against the Sooners. Butler and Robinson are two of Kentucky’s better players and the Wildcats will need them to have a chance to knock off Auburn.
Saturday’s game pits two of the best offenses in college basketball against one another. Kentucky averages 86 points per game and shoots 38 percent from three-point range. Auburn, meanwhile is the number one offensive efficiency team in the nation. The game may just come down to which defense can generate the most stops.
Kentucky’s defense is not its strong suit, but the Wildcats have been good at defending the three. Kentucky is holding opponents to less than 30 percent beyond the arc. Auburn enters Saturday shooting 37 percent from three and 40 percent from three on the road.
Auburn’s defense is good, but it will have its handful with Kentucky’s offense. The Wildcats have five players averaging double-digit points this season, and each is a threat to get hot from three-point range. The Wildcats also have great athleticism in the front court, which could present a challenge for Auburn.
“They’re always very, very talented,” Pearl said. “You know, Coach (Mark) Pope, they’re the fifth-best offensive team in the country. He’s a brilliant offensive coach and he’s got a dangerous team because the way they shoot the basketball and they run the most advanced five-out system in our game today.”
Auburn will have to be at its best to take down Kentucky on the road. The Tigers, however, are undefeated on the road in SEC play so far this year. Lexington has not been kind to the Tigers historically, but can Auburn break the losing streak in Lexington and make history in multiple ways on Saturday?
The tip is set for noon CT on the Auburn Sports Network and ABC/ESPN+.
