No. 11 Auburn will prepare for a top-25 showdown as it hosts No. 25 Washington on Friday night.
The Tigers couldn’t be stopped in their opening game against South Alabama, as Bruce Pearl’s team cruised to a 101-58 victory.
Meanwhile, the Huskies pulled away down the stretch against Western Kentucky in earning a 73-55 home win to open up the new season.
Let’s run through what to watch for in this highly-anticipated matchup.
Game Details
- No. 25 Washington (1-0) at No. 11 Auburn (1-0)
- Location: Auburn Arena – Auburn, AL
- Game Date: Nov. 9
- Game Time: 9:30 p.m. EST
- Watch: SEC Network
Players to Watch
Jared Harper (Auburn)
I’ve said this numerous times now, but Harper continues to be one of the most valuable point guards in all of college basketball.
He earned a double-double in the victory over South Alabama by posting 20 points and 13 assists, but other impressive stats such as going 6 of 10 from 3-point range and adding five rebounds.
Harper is the driving force for everything that Auburn does on both sides of the floor, and that’s exactly what you want out of your on-court leader.
Chuma Okeke (Auburn)
We thought that the 6-8 sophomore could be in for a breakout season, and so far, that looks like a very good possibility.
Okeke had 20 points and nine rebounds in the opener, and his ability to step out and knock down shots from long range is exactly what you want in a modern frontcourt player.
Auburn has a plethora of options in the post, but Okeke’s overall versatility certainly makes him one of the biggest keys to the team’s success.
Matisse Thybulle (Washington)
Thybulle is a future NBA player that does an excellent job at impacting the game on both sides of the court.
He fills the stat sheet on a nightly basis, as evidenced by his 11.2 points, 3.0 steals, 2.9 rebounds. 2.6 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game last season.
Thybulle is the reigning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, and he is simply the perfect fit for Mike Hopkins’ trademark 2-3 zone.
Noah Dickerson (Washington)
Dickerson is the type of player that the Huskies need against an opponent that features a wide variety of talented frontcourt players.
The 6-8 senior was a force last season in averaging 15.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game while shooting 56.9 percent from the floor.
He’s already off to a fine start in the new campaign, as he scored 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting in the opener.
Dickerson will likely use his strength to try to overwhelm Auburn’s forwards, and his scoring efficiency should make him one of the most impactful players in this one.
Key Stats
Auburn was on fire from 3-point range against South Alabama in making 18 of 38 attempts from beyond the arc.
The Huskies allowed double-digit makes from deep six times last season, and there will be opportunities for Pearl’s squad if they’re patient enough in the half court to get the ball to the right spot.
It’s also worth noting that both teams rank in the top 30 in KenPom’s experience category, and the veteran guard presence on both teams should make this game a whole lot of fun to watch.
Game Outlook
- Spread: Auburn 8.5
- Over/Under: 150
- KenPom Projection: Auburn, 78 percent chance to win
- ESPN BPI Projection: Auburn, 83.6 percent chance to win
This game will tell us a lot about where these two teams stand early in the season, but there’s no doubt that both are talented enough to make deep runs in March.
One aspect worth keeping an eye on is the availability of Auburn center Austin Wiley, who has been dealing with a foot injury throughout the preseason. He didn’t play in the opener, but having him back would be a huge boost.
There’s plenty to like about both teams, and it’s probably gonna be a game that goes down to the wire due to all the playmakers that will be on the court.
However, if Auburn can do what it does best and get out in transition and find open looks, there aren’t many teams in the country that can stop Pearl’s squad.
What would also help is attacking the glass and finding second-chance opportunities, as the Huskies weren’t always consistent at limiting offensive boards last season.
This will be one of the most entertaining games of the early part of the season, and it’s hard to go against the home team in what should be a rowdy environment.
Prediction: Auburn 84, Washington 78
For more SEC basketball coverage, follow me on Twitter @theblakelovell.