In the SEC’s first ever No. 1 vs No. 2 matchup in men’s basketball, the top-ranked Tigers come out of Tuscaloosa with a 94-85 win over No. 2 Alabama. Below are stats to know from Auburn’s historic win as it gets one step closer to the coveted conference regular season title.
Game Specific:
Alabama shot an uncharacteristic 2-for-15 from deep in the first half of play – starting 0-for-9. The Crimson Tide finished 5-for-26 from beyond the arc which ties the fewest amount of 3-pointers they’ve made this season.
Despite being up nine at the half, Miles Kelly and Tahaad Pettiford shot a combined 2-for-11 from the field for five points. The duo shot a combined 6-for-8 from the field and recorded 23 points.
Alabama had 35 attempts from the charity stripe – the second most for the Tide in SEC play – but missed nine free throws.
Denver Jones shot 1-for-3 from the field and no makes from deep with just three points in the first 20 minutes of action. But Jones was crical to Auburn’s start in the second half knocking down two 3-pointers on two of the Tigers’ first three possessions in the second half.
Alabama spent 25 of the 40 minutes of Saturday’s game in the bonus or double-bonus.
Today was the 1st time Alabama never led in 87 home games under Nate Oats.
Series Specific:
Since Bruce Pearl’s first season at Auburn in 2014-15, the Tigers are now 11-10 in regular season games against Alabama.
In ranked matchups between Auburn and Alabama under Pearl and Nate Oats, Pearl is 3-0.
Saturday’s win marks Auburn’s 10th ever inside of Coleman Coliseum – three have come under Pearl.
Program History:
Auburn matches the 2021-22 Tigers for the second-best 25-game start in program history, one game behind the 24-1 start in 1998-99.
Auburn picked up their seven SEC road victory, a program record.
Resume:
Auburn picks up its 14th quad-one win, which is six more than any other team in the country – the seventh most quad-one wins by a team ever since the invention of the NET.
The Tigers pick up their fourth AP top-10 win and ninth over a ranked opponent this season.
Miscellaneous:
Bruce Pearl becomes just the ninth head coach all-time with multiple wins in No. 1 vs. No. 2 games and the first to lead multiple schools to a victory in a No. 1 vs. No. 2 game.
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Patrick is a junior from Auburn, Alabama, double majoring in journalism and marketing. He started with The Plainsman in the fall of 2022.
You can follow him on X (Twitter) at @patrickabingham
