Florida Basketball: 2019-20 keys for home SEC matchup vs. Auburn

By Brian Rauf | Jan 17, 2020

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 21: Kerry Blackshear Jr. #24 of the Florida Gators drives to the basket against Alphonso Anderson #10 of the Utah State Aggies during the second half of the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic at BB&T Center on December 21, 2019 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – MARCH 14: Andrew Nembhard #2 of the Florida Gators (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

2) Control the tempo

The battle of tempo is going to be a lot of fun to watch in this one.

Auburn loves to play as fast as they can, employing the up-tempo style head coach Bruce Pearl loves. It allows them to utilize their length and their athleticism, both of which they have in droves.

Florida, meanwhile, plays at one of the slower tempos in the country, ranking 288th in pace. They’re much more methodical and prefer to utilize their skill and defense.

Helping that defense is the reason tempo will be so important in this game. While Auburn is one of the highest-scoring teams in the country, all of their efficiency metrics drop significantly when they’re forced to play in the halfcourt. They’re unable to utilize their athleticism advantage as much and have to execute their halfcourt offense, something they’re not great at.

If Auburn wins this battle, they’ll turn the game into a track meet and will try to beat Florida’s offense before it gets set, something the Tigers have had immense success with all year.

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