One of Auburn’s few inside threats is unlikely to play in Wednesday’s game against Georgia.
Tyler Harris is considered doubtful for Auburn’s rematch with the Bulldogs after suffering a concussion early in the second half of last Saturday’s loss to Ole Miss.
“He was not able to practice today,” said Auburn coach Bruce Pearl on Monday afternoon. “We’re going through the concussion protocol. I’d say he’s doubtful for Wednesday, unless tomorrow he continues to make more progress.”
While Harris is probably out for Wednesday’s game, Pearl said the senior forward's status has improved since he took an elbow to the jaw while going up for a layup against the Rebels.
“He’s made progress,” Pearl said. “Based on the hit he took, it could be worse, but you just don’t know how quickly he’s going to be able to pass all the protocols.”
Cinmeon Bowers, who has been playing point guard for Auburn since Kareem Canty left the team, moved to forward to fill in for Harris for the final 16 minutes of the Ole Miss game.
“Cim’s still playing some point guard,” Pearl said. “He may or may not play as much point guard. … I would imagine Cim will play both inside and out.”
When Bowers is at guard, Pearl said Jordon Granger, who has played on the wing this season, could move down low to play the four.
In Auburn’s 65-55 loss to Georgia on Feb. 6, the Tigers attempted a staggering 31 3-pointers but made only six.
Without Harris’ presence on the inside, Pearl said Auburn is likely to rely on the three again, as Bryce Brown, TJ Lang and Granger are all more comfortable from behind the arc.
“Because those guys don’t create off the bounce, they get guarded a certain way,” Pearl said. “It makes it harder to get them open, because of the fact that they don’t put it on the floor a ton and create. … I believe that they can all do a little bit more of that, and I think when they do, it’ll just make us better and make them better.”
Auburn will face Georgia at 6 p.m. on Wednesday at Auburn Arena.
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