Auburn Wire staff predicts Auburn basketball’s second-half record
The Auburn Tigers closed out the first half of the SEC schedule by taking down Ole Miss on the road, 91-77. Auburn could not catch up to the Rebels to begin the game, but eventually found its groove en route to a 14-point road win.
The Tigers finish the first half of the conference docket with an 18-4 record, with a 7-2 mark in SEC play. Auburn owns two wins over Vanderbilt and Ole Miss respectively, and have a road win at Arkansas to their name. The two blemishes to their name are road losses to Alabama and Mississippi State, teams that they will have the luxury of facing at Neville Arena on the back nine of its schedule.
With nine games left on the schedule, Auburn Wire writers Taylor Jones, Briah Hauch, and Tyler Raley broke down Auburn’s remaining SEC games, and dropped a final score prediction for each one.
Here’s a look at how the Auburn Wire staff predicts the season to end for the Auburn Tigers.
Feb. 7 vs. Alabama
Prediction: Auburn 83 Alabama 74
“After leading the way in the SEC out of the gate, Auburn has conceded the top spot to the Crimson Tide. The first round between these two was a grueling chess match that saw the home team hang on at the end. While Alabama has slowly been getting better on the road, Auburn’s third-ranked adjusted defensive efficiency will prove too much for an Alabama team that relies heavily on the 3-point shot but shoots it at a 13% worse clip away from Coleman Coliseum. The streak of sweeps in this series ends at two.” – Brian Hauch
For more Alabama basketball news, visit Roll Tide Wire.
Feb. 10 at Florida
Prediction: Auburn 75 Florida 69
“We have learned that it is difficult to win on the road in the SEC, and facing the Gators in the O’Connell Center will certainly be a challenge. Auburn’s defense allows 12 fewer points than Florida, but the Gators are a better rebounding team. I will stay on the optimistic side and predict that Bruce Pearl will get the most out of his top offensive talent and will escape with a win.” – Taylor Jones
Visit Gators Wire for more news surrounding Florida basketball.
Feb. 14 vs. South Carolina
Prediction: Auburn 81 South Carolina 67
“While winning on the road in the SEC is about as difficult as it gets, South Carolina has been phased as of late. The Gamecocks recently went on the road and won at both Tennessee and Georgia with some dominant play. However, Auburn has proven to be a fairly challenging team to beat in Neville Arena, currently only giving up 63.5 points per game at home. I will take Auburn to get a solid win in the thick of a difficult conference schedule.” – Tyler Raley
Feb. 17 vs. Kentucky
Prediction: Auburn 85 Kentucky 78
“As usual, Kentucky has a solid offense that scores 89 points per game. However, their defense is not as strong. The Wildcats allow 77 points per game, and their defense ranks No. 75 in the KenPom. It also hurts Kentucky that the game will be played at Neville Arena, where the Wildcats have lost three-straight times. It will be a battle, but Auburn’s offense and home environment will prevail.”– Taylor Jones
Check out our newest site, UK Wildcats Wire, for the latest news surrounding the Kentucky Wildcats.
Feb. 24 at Georgia
Prediction: Auburn 74 Georgia 68
“Auburn and Georgia have always had a fierce rivalry across all athletics, and the competitive mindset between the two has not gone down one bit. While Auburn’s success has grown in recent years, it has had its fair share of ups and downs in Stegeman Coliseum. Despite all that, Georgia has made games tight and failed to finish against some of its tougher opponents this season. I expect Auburn to move the ball fairly quickly and pull out a tight one in Athens.” – Tyler Raley
For more Georgia news, visit UGA Wire.
Feb. 28 at Tennessee
Prediction: Tennessee 77 Auburn 70
“The Tigers have had the upper hand in this series dating back to 2018, with Bruce Pearl leading his team to a 7-2 record over the last 9. Unfortunately that mark regresses to the mean slightly when the two teams meet later this season. While this might be Auburn’s deepest team since Pearl took over, Tennessee coach Rick Barnes rosters his best player in recent memory in guard Dalton Knecht. The senior has the size, shooting, and strength to run circles around an Auburn backcourt that isn’t great, and forwards Jonas Aidoo and Josiah-Jordan James can do enough in the post to neutralize Johni Broome.”- Brian Hauch
For more Tennessee basketball news, visit Vols Wire.
March 2 vs. Mississippi State
Prediction: Auburn 68 Mississippi State 62
“Another rematch on the Plains, you say? Auburn dropped a tough game in Starkville in January in what turned out to be a defensive battle. Mississippi State will play another great defensive game to kick off the March slate. However, as we have seen many times this year, Auburn just plays better in front of The Jungle. It will be a low-scoring affair, but the Tigers will get revenge at Neville Arena.”- Taylor Jones
March 5 at Missouri
Prediction: Auburn 86 Missouri 69
“It’s safe to say that Missouri has not had the year it desired after posting a 25-10 record in the 2022-23 season. The Tigers in gold and black have not had any real success in conference play, and can never seem to find a real rhythm against their opponents. Auburn should find momentum early through its dynamic offense and potent frontcourt, winning this one with some comfort on the road in Columbia.” – Tyler Raley
March 9 vs. Georgia
Prediction: Auburn 90 Georgia 76
“Auburn could have a chance to cut down the nets with a win against Georgia if things break right in February. Even if they don’t, the Tigers will want to take care of business for SEC and NCAA Tournament seeding purposes. Georgia’s program has seen a rebirth of sorts thanks to the offensive firepower of Jabri Abdur-Rahim, Noah Thomasson, and Justin Hill, but the Bulldogs 208th ranked scoring defense is not a recipe for road wins. UGA’s lack of size also creates mismatches across the board here. Auburn rolls.”- Brian Hauch
Final record: 26-5 (16-2 SEC)
The final nine-game stretch for Auburn will be a challenge, but it does help that a majority of its toughest games will be played at home. Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi State, South Carolina, and Georgia will all pay a visit to Neville Arena over the next month, and will get a taste of what it is like to play Auburn at home.
We will learn plenty about the team in their road games at Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee. If Auburn finds a way to stay close in those games early, and plays well later on, the Tigers could pull off several upsets away from home.
Many things can happen in the final nine games, but Auburn has the ability to make noise and carry momentum into the SEC Tournament.
