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

Alabama faces off against rival Auburn in an SEC matchup. Can the Crimson Tide bounce back after a rough loss to Missouri this past weekend?

TV schedule: Tuesday, Jan. 11 – 9:00 PM ET, ESPN

Arena: Coleman Coliseum – Tuscaloosa, AL

Auburn is currently the odds-on favorite to win the SEC this season, but a road win in a rivalry game over a quality Alabama team would serve as a statement to the rest of the league…and the country.

As if playing against Auburn isn’t inspiration enough, the Tide will be hungry for a win on Tuesday as they are coming off of a disappointing loss to a Missouri team that was the lowest-ranked power-conference team in the NET before Saturday’s game.

The glaring issue for Alabama comes not from a rankings or resume standpoint but a defensive one. The Tide gave up 92 points to a Missouri team that was averaging 60.8 PPG in its previous eight matchups against teams ranked in the top 150 of KenPom.

Alabama ranked third nationally in defensive efficiency on KenPom last season as it won both the SEC regular-season and tournament titles and made a run to the Sweet Sixteen. This season’s team ranks No. 62 nationally, ninth in the SEC.

Auburn is 14-1 on the season with a lone loss coming in a wild double-overtime game to a fully healthy UConn team. The Tigers are ranked No. 6 in the NET, No. 7 in KenPom, and No. 9 in the AP Top 25, although their AP ranking is certain to jump when the updated poll is released on Monday.

Jabari Smith (15.5 PPG, 6.4 RPG) will be a difficult matchup for Alabama, as he is for every team Auburn will play this season. Smith is projected to be a top-three pick in the 2022 NBA Draft and for good reason. The 6-10 forward is capable of handling the ball and stretching the floor as a 45.3% 3-point shooter, but the man tasked with guarding him will likely be the 6-6 Juwan Gary, meaning that we could see Smith look to the paint more than the 3-point line in this game.

Defensively, Auburn is anchored by Walker Kessler, a 7-1 transfer from UNC. Kessler averages 4.5 blocks per game, the third-highest mark in the country. He also ranks first nationally in Block% per KenPom. As a result, Auburn ranks first in the SEC in 2-point percentage defense.

Alabama’s offensive efforts are led by a trio of guards in Jaden Shackelford (16.3 PPG), Jahvon Quinerly (15.5 PPG), and Keon Ellis (12.2 PPG). ‘Bama ranks first in the SEC in 3-point attempt rate again this season, but they have not shot particularly well from deep.

Quinerly in particular has struggled, going from an excellent 43.3% 3-point shooter in 2020-21 to an abysmal 25.9% shooter so far this season.

Auburn is the more balanced team, will have the best player on the floor in Jabari Smith, and is significantly better defensively. I like the Tigers in a close one. Statement win.