No.1 Auburn begins three-game homestand beginning with Arkansas

Fresh off a statement win that solidified their status as the best team in college basketball, the No.1 Auburn Tigers begin a three-game home stretch against the Arkansas Razorbacks in Neville Arena on Wednesday night.

Last Saturday’s battle for state bragging rights gave Auburn the victory it was hoping for in a game that fans of both teams had circled on their calendars in the Tigers’ 94-85 win against the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Coming into this matchup, coach Bruce Pearl is adamant on the fact that the caliber of win against rival Alabama has not steered Auburn’s attention away from its matchup against the Razorbacks. 

“In the Alabama press conference, Johni Broome talked about Arkansas. We talked about Arkansas Saturday night right after the game, so they understand.” Pearl said. 

Keeping focus on the game at hand will be important as Arkansas is a hungry team that is searching for a statement win.

Arkansas started conference play 0-5; however, it beat a strong Kentucky team on the road while giving both current top-10 teams, Alabama and Texas A&M, a scare, losing by four and eight points, respectively. 

“Arkansas is talented enough and good enough to beat anybody in our league, and they’ve obviously proven it,” Pearl said.

This matchup is going to be one fought in the paint between Kentucky transfer Adou Thiero, who paired 14 points with eight rebounds against Auburn last season, and Broome. Thiero held Broome to only five made field goals in their last matchup and expected the duo to be battling all game.

Arkansas is 2-6 against opponents who have shot greater than 40 percent from the field this season, and with Auburn doing so in 23-of-25 games on the year, anticipate Arkansas head coach John Calipari to be preaching defense to his players as a key to success against the nation’s best.

Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. CTS on ESPN.