Date: Tuesday, February 3
Time: 6:00pm CDT
TV/Streaming: SEC Network
All-Time Series: Arkansas leads 34-19
Most Recent Matchup: February 2019, Auburn won 79-56.
The Tigers
2019-20 Record: 19-2 (6-2)
Head Coach: Bruce Pearl (6th season, 119-74)
In February of 1999, the #2 Auburn Tigers came to Bud Walton Arena to face the unranked Razorbacks. Many Arkansas fans have said that was the loudest The Bud has ever been. The Hogs would win the game 104-88 behind 23 points from Pat Bradley and the Arkansas faithful would storm the court in BWA for the very first time.
21 years later, Auburn returns to BWA ranked again. The Tigers made two other trips to Hill while ranked in that time span, but this one is different. Auburn is coming off the greatest season in program history. Their trip to the Final 4 last year was the story of March Madness. Because Auburn is coming off a win against Kentucky. They are the class of the SEC right now. That is why Tuesday’s game is different.
Bryce Brown, Chuma Okeke, and Jared Harper all moved on to professional basketball after last season, but the Tigers have reloaded. Samir Doughty and J’Von McCormick have both made huge strides to lead this team. Both players have more than doubled their scoring production this year. Freshman phenom Isaac Okoro is as advertised. He has been outstanding for Head Coach Bruce Pearl.
This Auburn team is gifted with length. The Tigers have seven players that are 6-5 or taller that have appeared in every game this season. They rebound at an extremely high level and get to the free throw line at a very high rate. Where Auburn struggles is shooting the ball. They are ranked 291st in the country in 3-point percentage.