No. 11 Auburn heads to No. 4 Houston for a Saturday evening rematch of ultimate season’s NCAA Tournament clash.
The Cougars beat the Tigers 81-64 within the second round in March and both groups contain rosters loaded with players who experienced that game.
A defensive showdown could well moreover expect, as Kenpom.com analytics has Houston ranked No. 1 and Auburn No. 2.
“We are the two top groups on defense within the country per Kenpom,” Tigers coach Bruce Pearl said. “So, it can be the important thing crew to rating 50 points wins.”
Preseason All-American Johni Broome had 12 points and seven rebounds in a 94-43 season-opening dwelling steal against Vermont on Wednesday. Miles Kelly came off the bench to manual Auburn (1-0) with 21 points. Denver Jones scored 16 points, Chaney Johnson added 13 and Chad Baker-Mazara had 11.
For the reason that Tigers contain a deep, worn roster, Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said he expects now now not now now not up to 10 Auburn players will get double-digit minutes in taking part in time.
“You contain to be essentially in your execution on baseline out of bounds plays, sidelines out of bounds plays and out of timeout plays,” Sampson said. “(Auburn) plays wherever from 5 to seven quite a couple of defenses and has a major-crew All-American. Which arrangement every game they play they’re going to be favored to steal because they’ve essentially the most easy participant on the ground correct about every evening.”
Houston (1-0) opened its season with a 97-40 dwelling steal against Jackson Stammer on Monday. LJ Cryer had 16 points, Mylik Wilson scored 15 and J’Wan Roberts (14) and Ramon Walker Jr. (10) also scored in double figures.
The Cougars shot 60 p.c from 3-point range (12 of 20) and scored 47 points off the bench. Jackson Stammer used to be held to zero rapid destroy points and simplest managed two second-probability points.
“Houston is successfully coached,” Pearl said. “Kelvin Sampson groups contain performed the same formulation for a prolonged time. They play tough, they play bodily and are a spacious rebounding crew. They are a spacious defensive crew that wins every 50-50 ball. They play the unbiased correct formulation and as a crew. There’s a culture there for sure.”
Pearl said the crew that wins the rebounding fight will aid an advantage. Auburn held a 43-31 edge against Vermont and Houston outrebounded Jackson Stammer 39-25.
“They carry back all nonetheless one participant, so we’re going to get uncovered,” Pearl said. “We direct it is crucial as to whoever wins the rebounding fight.”
Every coaches are veterans and know every quite a couple of successfully, which acquired’t constantly be an advantage per Sampson.
“Bruce’s groups are constantly tough to play against,” Sampson said. “Some groups are tough to prepare for nonetheless less complicated to play against. Then there are groups which will be tough to prepare for and tough to play against. His groups are worship that. They get havoc because every possession is a possibility to power a turnover.”
Here’s the important thing in a dwelling-and-dwelling sequence between the two groups. Subsequent twelve months the Cougars will scoot to Alabama to play the Tigers.
This text first regarded on Self-discipline Level Media and used to be syndicated with permission.
