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

3) Pack the paint defensively

Another reason why slowing the tempo of the game is important is that, when Florida’s defense is set, they’ll be able to pack the paint on the defensive end and force Auburn to beat them from the perimeter.

I know they narrative surrounding Auburn is that they’re one of the nation’s better three-point shooting teams because of how good they were in that area last year and how many of them they shoot, but the Tigers actually really struggle to make shots from the perimeter.

In fact, Auburn ranks just 240th in the country in three-point percentage (31.6). They don’t have great individual shooters, either. Outside of sophomore Jamal Johnson, who plays less than 14 minutes a game, no Auburn player makes over 33.3 percent of their threes. In fact, three rotation players – all guards – shoot under 26 percent from deep.

The Tigers did turn the ball over a ton against Alabama, yet one of the main reasons they lost was their struggles from deep, They only shot 7/28 from long-range against the Tide, good for a measly 25 percent.

Florida is facing perhaps their toughest test of the season this weekend, but they have what it takes to upset Auburn if they consistently execute their offense, control the tempo, and pack the paint defensively.