3. 9 Auburn over 1 Houston
Between late January and the start of the NCAA Tournament, Auburn had won just four of 13 games and were certainly not looking like any kind of threat, grabbing a modest 9-seed in the NCAA Tournament. However, Bruce Pearl has always gotten the best out of these teams and has them playing significantly better basketball in the Big Dance, delivering an 8-point win against a tough Iowa team back on Thursday.
A 52-point second half took care of Iowa, but it was a joint effort led by forward Johni Broome’s 19-point, 12-rebound performance and another double-double from Allen Flanigan. Hot shooting off the bench shooting was essential against a hot-shooting Hawkeyes team, but the Tigers may have less to worry about against these Cougars.
Both programs play strong defense, but Houston has a fair share of problems going into this game. Star guards Marcus Sasser and Jamal Shead are both dealing with injuries and are questionable, likely playing at less than 100% at the very least. Additionally, this game is being played in Birmingham and you can expect a significant contingent of Auburn fans in their home state. The Cougars struggled to put away 16-seed Northern Kentucky until late in the game; can J’Wan Roberts and Jarace Walker (a very talented frontcourt) deal with Broome and this Auburn squad if those guards aren’t playing or are hampered?