Basketball Deep Cuts: Missouri & Alabama

Let’s take a quick look back at some of the best moments from Auburn’s big wins over Missouri and Alabama.

By willmclaughlin Feb 4, 2019, 5:05pm CST

Welcome back to another edition of Basketball Deep Cuts! This week, we’re going to look at highlights from both the Missouri and Alabama games and there was a lot to choose from. What I’ve decided to do is to pick 3 highlights from each player from this week’s games. Hard choices were made and some good moments were left out. They’re in chronological order (not necessary the order I put them together) and broken down by each player. All in all, it was a great week to show a bunch of highlights so prepare for a lot of videos of Auburn Basketball getting back on the right track!

Bryce Brown

Next we have a missed 3 from Auburn, followed up by a great offensive rebound from McLemore and the ball movement to get a wide open Bryce Brown 3-pointer. pic.twitter.com/Cjzs8D4neG
— Will McLaughlin (@ShootyHoopsWill) February 4, 2019

Moving on to the Bama game now. We’ll start with Bryce Brown. In the Mizzou game, all 10 of his shots were from 3. So it was great to see him go inside early and here he makes the basket and draws a foul as Auburn went on their first run of the game during this sequence. pic.twitter.com/1SD4Zy7PLn
— Will McLaughlin (@ShootyHoopsWill) February 4, 2019

Here’s one for the road courtesy of Bryce Brown. pic.twitter.com/hVl85iEJAg
— Will McLaughlin (@ShootyHoopsWill) February 4, 2019

Jared Harper

Chuma gets another board and finds a wide open Jared Harper down the court for an easy dunk. pic.twitter.com/h0uG9jPHa2
— Will McLaughlin (@ShootyHoopsWill) February 4, 2019

More great interior defense leads to another turnover. And then... Jared Harper from Harpersville!!! (And for the record, there is a Harpersville, Alabama near Birmingham) pic.twitter.com/XzSBJHqMTq
— Will McLaughlin (@ShootyHoopsWill) February 4, 2019

This was really the play that sealed this thing up for Auburn. The Tide got the lead down to 11 before Harper drills the corner 3 while drawing the foul and then converts the 4 point play. Alabama never got any closer after this. pic.twitter.com/DAtMZxkD0n
— Will McLaughlin (@ShootyHoopsWill) February 4, 2019

Chuma Okeke

Okay, here we go! We’re gonna start with the Missouri game and while the first half was a struggle. This was a huge shot from Chuma to go into the locker room. Chuma played terrific in the first half of that game Wednesday night. pic.twitter.com/9G1dKcZGeB
— Will McLaughlin (@ShootyHoopsWill) February 4, 2019

One aspect that I need to point out from the game was the outstanding job Auburn did of keeping Donta Hall from getting the ball in the paint. Here Horace steals it, we go the other way and Chuma drills a 3 to give Auburn the lead for good. pic.twitter.com/xJPkcrxERB
— Will McLaughlin (@ShootyHoopsWill) February 4, 2019

Chuma from midrange just isn’t fair. pic.twitter.com/svNQ0X4xQY
— Will McLaughlin (@ShootyHoopsWill) February 4, 2019

Samir Doughty

Next we have a Samir Doughty 3 that was the first of Auburn’s 58 2nd half points. Great ball movement and players moving around and being more active on the court leads to the open shot. pic.twitter.com/chv9i95Ose
— Will McLaughlin (@ShootyHoopsWill) February 4, 2019

This play is made by the efforts of Chuma Okeke and Samir Doughty. Doughty didn’t give up on the play which leads to a fast break where Bryce hits another 3. pic.twitter.com/s1YXUsrL4s
— Will McLaughlin (@ShootyHoopsWill) February 4, 2019

In the second half, Auburn took their time on several possessions, something you don’t see a ton, but through this ball movement, they get Samir Doughty an open 3 as time expires on the shot clock and he makes it. Beautiful! pic.twitter.com/ydi9DosMBO
— Will McLaughlin (@ShootyHoopsWill) February 4, 2019

Anfernee McLemore

To get to @AUChief’s favorite number, we see out of the timeout where Tilmon loses track of McLemore while the defense is more focused on Bryce Brown. As a result, an Anfernee triple. pic.twitter.com/oZPXKevwfN
— Will McLaughlin (@ShootyHoopsWill) February 4, 2019

Another fastbreak for Auburn here. Dunbar to McCormick to McLemore for the beautiful jam and Gus Malzahn’s face tells the entire story. pic.twitter.com/6ZMXyKrCP4
— Will McLaughlin (@ShootyHoopsWill) February 4, 2019

The Alabama defenders didn’t want Harper shooting from Harpersville again so they go to double him only for Harper to go behind the back with the pass which is a thing of beauty, resulting in McLemore drilling another 3 from the top of the key. pic.twitter.com/dDw762yZAu
— Will McLaughlin (@ShootyHoopsWill) February 4, 2019

Horace Spencer

Horace Spencer attempted 2 3s in the Mizzou game and both were good shots. The first one was in and out and then this one was an open look that he drilled, his 2nd 3 of the season. pic.twitter.com/i27cGQpQEe
— Will McLaughlin (@ShootyHoopsWill) February 4, 2019

When will people learn? Thou Shall NOT Attempt to Dunk on Horace Spencer!!!! pic.twitter.com/kgM0BdDW6X
— Will McLaughlin (@ShootyHoopsWill) February 4, 2019

Horace Spencer: Point Guard pic.twitter.com/yMOiUnQ2Iy
— Will McLaughlin (@ShootyHoopsWill) February 4, 2019

Danjel Purifoy

I love this play!! Mostly because it was set up by some great hustle from Danjel Purifoy. I thought Danjel played really well these past 2 games and perhaps he’s turned a corner and will be a big piece on this Auburn team coming down the stretch. pic.twitter.com/pzmfG5Y7T7
— Will McLaughlin (@ShootyHoopsWill) February 4, 2019

Hard not to be pleased with the effort of Danjel Purifoy here. Forces the loose ball, wins the loose ball and gets the reward going the other way for a slam dunk! pic.twitter.com/Idp3EvEYeB
— Will McLaughlin (@ShootyHoopsWill) February 4, 2019

J’Von McCormick has gotten a lot better since he got here and here’s another reason why. Forces the turnover then gets another teammate, Danjel Purifoy, and open look and Danjel buries the 3. pic.twitter.com/XDF6A0Xgkp
— Will McLaughlin (@ShootyHoopsWill) February 4, 2019

J’Von McCormick

Back to the first half of that game real quick: wanted to show a really good play from J’Von McCormick. His speed is underrated and he’s been more agressive lately driving the ball into the paint and this time gets the shot to go over Jeremiah Tilmon. pic.twitter.com/WpRDlgJiaJ
— Will McLaughlin (@ShootyHoopsWill) February 4, 2019

More great defense from Auburn. Purifoy able to get the ball out of traffic to J’Von McCormick so he can THROW IT DOWN!! pic.twitter.com/JU6ylRmRaG
— Will McLaughlin (@ShootyHoopsWill) February 4, 2019

Good to see J’Von get a basket here. He’s able to beat the zone into the paint and then adjusts to make a shot as the shot clock nearly expired. Good to see some halfcourt execution from Auburn’s offense! pic.twitter.com/oNySy1bGjx
— Will McLaughlin (@ShootyHoopsWill) February 4, 2019

Malik Dunbar

Last one: had to go back to Mizzou because I needed another one for Malik Dunbar. Auburn hit 5 3s in the first half. This was their 6th of the second half. (Note the Time) pic.twitter.com/0EgMxVjYJU
— Will McLaughlin (@ShootyHoopsWill) February 4, 2019

After a backcourt violation, here’s a little a Classic Malik for you all! pic.twitter.com/ErsFAH9Ps5
— Will McLaughlin (@ShootyHoopsWill) February 4, 2019

And finally, I saved the best play of the week for last.

This is one incredible sequence!! Chuma gets it to McCormick who once again assists on a ferocious slam dunk by Malik Dunbar. This was Malik’s only basket Saturday but it’s 1 for the highlight reel. And then, for the presence of mind to get back and force another Alabama turnover pic.twitter.com/5xRLDzNMD7
— Will McLaughlin (@ShootyHoopsWill) February 4, 2019

Time to move forward and get ready for tomorrow night’s game against the Florida Gators. We’re gonna have much more about them over the next 24 hours. Until then, War Eagle!