Auburn basketball finds itself in a pivotal moment as the NCAA Tournament looms. The Tigers have had a rollercoaster season, with recent struggles putting them on shaky ground.
After a promising run that included upset victories over then-No. 16 Florida and Texas, Auburn hit a rough patch, dropping four straight games.
The latest setback was a 13-point loss to No. 21 Arkansas, a game in which leading scorer Keyshawn Hall didn't play due to a coach's decision.
As Auburn gears up for the final stretch of the regular season, they face six games against less formidable opponents. However, with their current downward trend, every game is crucial.
Their journey begins with a matchup against Mississippi State in Starkville on Wednesday, Feb. 16, at 8 p.m. CT, broadcast on ESPN2.
Elyjah Freeman, reflecting the team's mindset, emphasized the importance of this stretch: "There's still a lot of season left. We need to treat this as a fresh start, beginning with Mississippi State. Our goal is to go 1-0 and build from there, trusting the process and grinding it out."
For those following the action, here's the starting lineup for Auburn:
- G Tahaad Pettiford
- G Kevin Overton
- F Keyshawn Hall
- F Sebastian Williams-Adams
- F KeShawn Murphy
Mississippi State counters with:
- G Josh Hubbar
- G Jayden Epps
- G Shawn Jones Jr.
- F Achor Achor
- C Quincy Ballard
The game will be officiated by Bart Lenox, Steven Anderson, and Owen Shortt. Kevin Fitzgerald and Rodney Terry will provide commentary.
Auburn has had the upper hand in recent encounters with Mississippi State, winning eight of the last ten matchups. However, their road record against the Bulldogs stands at 2-2 in that span.
The Tigers' schedule has been a mixed bag this season, with some impressive wins and tough losses. Notable victories include those over Florida and Texas, while setbacks against top-tier teams like Houston and Michigan have tested their resilience.
As Auburn looks to regain momentum, fans can catch the action on ESPN2 or listen live on local radio stations WLWI FM (92.3) in Montgomery and WGZZ FM (94.3) in Auburn. The game promises to be a critical step for Auburn as they aim to solidify their tournament aspirations.