No. 1 Auburn is heading into what could be its toughest matchup of the regular season. The Tigers take on No. 17 Kentucky at Rupp Arena on Saturday, a venue they have not come out on top in since 1988.
Auburn is yet to drop a conference game on the road this season, but coming away from Lexington with a win will be a tall task for head coach Bruce Pearl and company.
“Then you look at Kentucky and they average 91 points per game at home,” Pearl said. “How many less can we hold Kentucky to, to have a chance to win? They average 19 and a half assists at home, 19 and a half. They shoot 40 percent from three and make over 10 a game at home. They have some great, great pieces.”
Pearl pointed out some of the contest’s most intriguing player matchups that could help determine the game's outcome.
“Otega Oweh might be the best athlete in the league and an impossible cover,” Pearl said. (Amari) Williams is a dynamic center. The matchup between him and Johni Broome and Dylan Cardwell is going to be a phenomenal matchup. Getting Lamont Butler back and healthy, he and Denver Jones are the two best defensive guards in our league. That’s going to be an incredible matchup.
“(Koby) Brea might be the best shooter we play all year long. Kentucky has great depth. Like I said the other night, Mark Pope runs the most sophisticated, complex 5-out offense in the country. They do it as well as anybody. You put all that together and 19-20,000 people at Rupp Arena. Let’s go.”
The 3-point shot has been a large part of Kentucky’s game this season. The Wildcats are shooting 38 percent from beyond the arc as a team, placing them at the top of the SEC. Its biggest wins this season, including victories over Duke, Florida and Tennessee, have come when Kentucky has shot better than 40 percent from deep.
Pearl emphasized how important perimeter defense will be for Auburn’s chances of ending its losing streak in Lexington.
“Well we’ve got great length on the perimeter and that makes a difference,” Pearl said. “Within the parameters of our defensive scheme, obviously that’s something that we work hard to try to challenge 3-point shots. Three is worth one more than two and two more than one, I’m gonna do everything I can to take that away.”
Defense has not been a strength for the Wildcats. They allow 76.6 points per game on average, placing them No. 15 in the SEC behind Alabama. Butler has been a game changer for Kentucky on defense when available. He has only appeared in 14 games this season, but is expected to play against Auburn.
“They're night and day better defensively with him. Night and day,” Pearl said. “Plus, they then can allow their 2 guards that are having to play point play off the ball. So, he might not be their best player, but he could be their most valuable player.”
Tipoff between the Tigers and Wildcats is set for noon CT and ABC will carry the broadcast.
