Tigers Begin SEC Play with a Trip to #11 Auburn

Photo By: Michael Bacigalupi

Da Boot Sports
12/29/2021
By: Terrill J. Weil


Baton Rouge, LA: Will Wade and his 12-0, 16th ranked LSU Fighting Tigers will begin SEC play on Wednesday afternoon as they travel to Auburn to take on the Tigers. Bruce Pearl and his 11-1 Auburn squad, ranked 11th, are playing at a high level, winners of eight straight, and have yet to lose a game at home this season.

Defensively, LSU will need to slow down true freshman Jabari Smith Jr., who is the son of former LSU basketball player Jabari Smith Sr. The 6'-10" Smith has been tough to stop, averaging 16.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.
Allen Flanigan has also returned for the Tigers. The 6-foot-6 junior has recovered from a torn Achilles that happened in
the offseason. Flanigan averaged 14.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game last season.
Pearl has also added McDonald's All-American Walker Kessler, a 7'-1" center transfer from North Carolina who has made his presence felt under the basket for the Tigers. The big guy is averaging 9.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.
The Bayou Bengals will need to continue to play suffocating defense and their ferocious full court press to force Auburn into committing key turnovers. LSU must also win the rebound battle and stay out of foul trouble if they hope to escape from the Plains with a victory.

Offensively, LSU loves to take the ball to the goal. Unfortunately, this is Auburn's strength defensively. Expect Smith and Kessler to try and make things tough for the Bayou Bengals in the paint, forcing LSU to beat them from the outside. If that ends up being the case, the Tigers will need a huge night from Darius Days from behind the three point arc.
The Tigers are led by Darius Days who averages 15 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. LSU is hoping that Tari Eason can return Wednesday after missing the contest against Lipscomb with back spasms He averages 14.9 PPG and will need to play big on both ends of the court. Efton Reid will also have his work cut out for him, having to battle Kessler under the goal all night.

What a great way to open the SEC schedule. Auburn is a four point favorite at home, as both teams will face their toughest challenge of the season. Both squads are loaded with talent. Both teams are well coached, and both are hot. Many feel these may be the best two teams in the SEC right now.
Expect this one to go down to the wire, with the team protecting the ball and making their free throws late taking the win.

PREDICTION: LSU 72, Auburn 67

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