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LSU at Auburn: 2021-22 college basketball game preview, TV schedule

By Matt Melton

AUBURN, ALABAMA - FEBRUARY 08: Devan Cambridge #35 of the Auburn Tigers reacts after their 91-90 overtime win over the LSU Tigers at Auburn Arena on February 08, 2020 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
AUBURN, ALABAMA - FEBRUARY 08: Devan Cambridge #35 of the Auburn Tigers reacts after their 91-90 overtime win over the LSU Tigers at Auburn Arena on February 08, 2020 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Arguably the top two teams in the SEC entering conference play, Auburn and LSU meet on Wednesday night.

When: Wednesday, December 29 at 7:00 pm ET on ESPNU

Location: Auburn Arena, Auburn, AL

Two of the top teams in the SEC, Auburn hosts LSU on Wednesday night to open conference play inside Auburn Arena.

Ranked as the No. 11 team in the country, Auburn has won eight consecutive games entering conference play, including an impressive 71-58 win over Murray State last Wednesday night. A game in which the Tigers led for all but the first four minutes, Auburn shot a combined 42.2% from the field, as well as out-rebounding the Racers 48-33.

Sitting at 11-1 on the year, the Tigers are a Top 20 team nationally in both offensive and defensive efficiency according to KenPom averaging 81.1 PPG while allowing 64.9 PPG to opponents. Led by star freshman Jabari Smith (16.2 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 45.2 3P%), the Tigers also have guards KD Johnson and Wendell Green Jr averaging in double-figures, as well as center Walker Kessler averaging a near double-double at 9.5 PPG, 7.3 RPG, and 3.7 BPG.

LSU on the other hand enters SEC play as one of, if not the, hottest team in the country at 12-0, and fresh off a dominant 95-60 win over Lipscomb last Wednesday. As expected, the Tigers led throughout but also posted a few noteworthy numbers against the Bisons such as forcing 22 turnovers, collecting 15 steals, and shooting 12-for-22 from three-point range (54.5%).

The Tigers enter SEC play ranked as the No. 16 team in the country averaging 79.6 PPG offensively, as well as the No. 1 team in the country in defensive efficiency according to KenPom only allowing 54.1 PPG to opponents. Leading the way for LSU is the frontcourt duo of Tari Eason and Darius Days, as well as Missouri transfer guard Xavier Pinson averaging 10.8 PPG, 3 RPG, and 4.7 APG.

Next. Tennessee, Villanova rise in latest Top 25 power rankings. dark

The one question surrounding LSU’s undefeated start to the season is that the quality of opponents doesn’t necessarily compare to the remainder of the SEC’s top teams, but that argument goes out the door if the Tigers are able to come into Auburn Arena and win. In what is one of the more must-see games to open SEC play, LSU is certainly capable of picking up the win here, but it’s hard to pick against Auburn in a big game at home.

Prediction: Auburn 78, LSU 73

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