Auburn is on a mission to solidify its position away from the NCAA Tournament bubble, while Oklahoma is looking for a spark, with its only realistic path to the tournament being a surprising run in the SEC tournament. The Sooners will host the Tigers on Tuesday in Norman, Oklahoma.
Auburn recently broke a five-game losing streak with a narrow 75-74 victory over Kentucky. This win was crucial for the Tigers (15-12, 6-8 SEC), who had slipped into bubble territory after previously being in a more secure position.
Coach Steven Pearl emphasized the significance of the Kentucky game but stressed the need for consistent motivation as Auburn approaches the final four games of the regular season. "It means nothing if we don't prepare for Oklahoma with the same desperation that we prepared for (Kentucky)," Pearl noted.
Auburn's recent struggles included four losses by single digits, with two particularly close games decided by four and six points.
Oklahoma is no stranger to tight losses either. The Sooners (13-14, 3-11) have dropped their last two games and 11 of their last 13. During a challenging nine-game losing streak, Oklahoma lost six games by 10 points or fewer, with three of those by four points or fewer.
Their recent 75-71 loss to Texas A&M dashed any remaining hopes of an at-large NCAA Tournament bid. Coach Porter Moser observed that his team might be feeling the pressure as losses pile up.
"There definitely is some of that," Moser remarked after the game against the Aggies. "Sometimes guys want it so bad, that they just try to go do it themselves.
Yes. I don't think it was, 'I'm selfish, trying to get mine.'
I don't believe my guys are like that."
A silver lining for the Sooners has been the emergence of sophomore guard Dayton Forsythe. After dealing with ankle injuries earlier in the season, Forsythe has found his rhythm. Over the last four games, he's averaged 11.5 points and 3.3 assists, shooting 38.5% from three-point range and 50% overall, a significant improvement from his early-season stats.
On Auburn's side, KeShawn Murphy is coming off a standout performance, scoring a career-high 25 points against Kentucky. Murphy previously scored 16 points for Mississippi State in a loss to the Sooners last season.
As both teams face off, Auburn aims to maintain its momentum, while Oklahoma seeks to turn its season around with a much-needed win.