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

Auburn takes on Missouri with high expectations after receiving top ranking in latest AP Poll.

When: Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022 at 8:30 EST
Where: Mizzou Arena, Columbia, Mo.
Watch: SEC Network

Fresh off their first No. 1 ranking of school history in the AP Top 25, the Auburn Tigers are on the road to face Missouri.

Auburn (18-1, 7-0 Southeastern Conference) has been on fire this season, embarking on a 15-game win streak after their double-overtime loss to No. 22 UConn in November’s Battle 4 Atlantis. In that run, they have picked up wins against No. 16 LSU, No. 24 Alabama, and this past Saturday, No. 12 Kentucky. The 80-71 win this weekend was enough for 45 first-place votes to be awarded to Auburn, and make them the fifth No. 1 seed of the 2021-22 season.

"“The No. 1 ranking matters because it’s historical,” Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said Monday. “I’m very happy for Auburn. I’m very happy for my coaches and or players to have been been able to achieve that. That said, we got a lot of work to do.”"

Auburn was led by Walker Kessler, who picked up 19 points in the match, making 8 of 10 shots, and picking up seven rebounds. Though he made a big impact, wins have consistently been a team effort for Auburn, with Kessler, Jabari Smith, K.D. Johnson, and Wendell Green Jr. all averaging more than 10 points a game over the season.

"“I like … how much they enjoy playing with each other and how close they are off the court,” Pearl said. “Now, we haven’t faced much adversity. Adversity reveals character; it doesn’t just build it. So when we get some adversity and get some losses, then we’ll see how all those friendships will be challenged. And how you can tap into them.”"

It’s unlikely, however, that Auburn will face adversity on Tuesday. Missouri (8-10, 2-4 SEC) has had a lackluster season up to this point and currently holds the third-worst record in the conference.

Missouri has been up and down all season and was hoping for a different result on Saturday with fresh energy from their victory against Ole Miss. Instead, Tiger fans watched their team beat themselves again in a winnable game.

Despite leading for 33 of 40 minutes in the game against Alabama, Missouri was outrebounded and got themselves into foul trouble, eventually leading to their 86-76 demise.

Missouri coach Cuonzo Martin says they’ve faced one of the better schedules in the nation, and that has helped the team grow. Unfortunately, they are struggling to convert that growth into wins. Martin told reporters on Monday that he hopes to meet with Mizzou Women’s coach Robin Pingeton, who beat No. 1, South Carolina, in overtime last December, to get some tips on how to upset the top-ranked team.

"“Now, we’ve got work to do,” Pearl said. “They beat Alabama at [home]. They’re a big, strong, physical team. There’s a big prize on our head.”"

Pearl and Auburn know that there is no guarantee when playing in Mizzou Arena. From the women’s victory over South Carolina to the men’s win against Alabama, Missouri seems to make things happen against ranked opponents at home.

Auburn has a lot to prove Tuesday night, and Missouri has everything to gain from an Auburn loss. By no means is this a situation that you’d put Auburn on upset alert, but don’t be surprised if the game is played a lot closer than the stats suggest it should.