With national player of the year candidate Johni Broome's status day-to-day, No. 2 Auburn travels to Birmingham, AL on Saturday to take on No. 16 Purdue in its seventh quad-one test of non-conference play.
Here's what some of our sports staff has to say about the top-25 matchup between the Tigers and Boilermakers, complete with score predictions and analysis.
Patrick Bingham, Sports Editor: Auburn 84-73
"I'd be a little surprised if Auburn tries to force it with Broome on Saturday if he's not 100%. That being said I think if the Tigers can avoid foul trouble on their front line — which certainly is a big if — then Auburn has enough talented pieces to pick up a sixth quad-one win before the New Years."
Grace Heim, Assistant Sports Editor: Auburn 74-68
"Auburn’s offense, averaging 86.7 points per game, has been a driving force this season. The Tigers’ ability to dominate in the paint and capitalize on perimeter shooting makes them a tough opponent even without Johni Broome. "
Logan Fowler, Sports Reporter: Auburn 84-73
"Auburn showed against a solid Georgia State frontcourt that it could manage without Johni Broome, as Chaney Johnson exploded for an Auburn career-high 26 points and the Tigers cruised to a 41-point win. Not only did Johnson have a career night, but Chad Baker-Mazara and Denver Jones chipped in 19 and 17 points, respectively.
"Any team will suffer from losing a frontrunner for the national player of the year off its squad, but Auburn has too many scoring options and plays too hard defensively for me to go against them on Saturday."
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