:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48528829/usa-today-9031636.0.jpg)
So, I'll be honest, if you want a really good preview of this game, check out the guys over at Rock M Nation, the Mizzou site. They are excellent at covering basketball. You have good stuff from Tuco over there, too, who answered some questions for them about the game.
For us, here, we know what Auburn's issues are right now. Injuries have depleted Auburn's roster. TJ Dunans, Tahj Shamsid-Deen, and New Williams are all out for this game and more going forward. Cinmeon Bowers is having issues underneath the basket (especially when it comes to the offensive end). Horace Spencer needs to stay out of foul trouble because he's the better big man option than Bowers. Tyler Harris needs to play exactly as he did against South Carolina. Bryce Brown and Kareem Canty need to keep knocking down shots.
Auburn's starting lineup is likely to be the same as it's been for the last few games with Spencer, Harris, Granger, Canty, and Brown. That's two freshmen, a junior, a senior, and a grad transfer. Meanwhile, Mizzou starts three freshmen, so they're young.
Mizzou has had issues with starting slow in games. If they do that in this one, Auburn has to take advantage of it. If the shooters get hot, the Good Tigers can get out to a good lead and hopefully build momentum that keeps them going. They're going to try to get Auburn's big men in foul trouble, and Auburn's big men are likely to oblige.
The Bad Tigers are 7-7 overall, 0-1 in the SEC. They lost to Georgia at UGA 77-59 in their first conference game of the year. We do have a common opponent in Xavier, who beat Mizzou 78-66 in the third game of the year. In the Georgia game, the Dawgs were able to do well with three pointers, so hopefully Auburn is able to do the same with Canty and Brown.
How to Watch, Stream, Listen
Where: Columbia, MO
When: 9pm Eastern / 8pm Central
TV: ESPN2
Stream: WatchESPN
Listen: Auburn IMG Network