Bruce Pearl and the Tigers are set to face No. 9 seed Creighton on Saturday night inside of Rupp Arena with a chance to advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since the 2019 season. Here's what some of our sports staff has to say about the clash between the Tigers and Bluejays, complete with score predictions and analysis.
Patrick Bingham, Sports Editor: Auburn 85-75
"I think Auburn is going to come out hot following all of the conversation about effort and energy the last two days. If the Tigers can win down low, then they will play in Atlanta next weekend."
Logan Fowler, Sports Reporter: Auburn 85-78
"Auburn has had a recent trend of lethargic play and it certainly cannot afford that on Saturday against Creighton. Slowing down the trio of Ryan Kalkbrenner, Steven Ashworth and Jamiya Neal will be key for the Tigers, but they have the pieces to match up with the Bluejays' three-headed monster.
"I expect Auburn will clean up its play, embrace the challenge that Steven Pearl dished out after the Tigers' first round win and punch its ticket to the Sweet 16."
Gunner Norene, Sports Writer: Auburn 81-74
"To put it simply, Auburn must play with the same effort and energy as it showed earlier in the year up until the Kentucky game, where the Tigers clinched the SEC regular season title. As associate head coach Steven Pearl and senior center Dylan Cardwell pointed out on the Auburn Sports Network after Thursday's first round game, it will be essential for Auburn to play with an increased sense of urgency to defeat a very good Creighton team on Saturday.
"The Bluejays are no team to overlook, as they finished second in the Big East behind St. John's during the regular season and advanced to the Big East Tournament championship game last weekend. Led by Ryan Kalkbrenner and Steven Ashworth, although Creighton is 34.2% from three-point range on the season (171st in D-1), the Bluejays went 11-of-24 from deep in their first round matchup versus Louisville. In addition to Kalkbrenner and Ashworth, The Tigers also need to watch out for senior guard Jamiya Neal, who posted a career-high 29 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and one block against the Cardinals.
"I think this veteran Auburn team will answer the bell on Saturday. If Johni Broome and Chad Baker-Mazara play to their potential and step up to the occasion -- and I believe they will -- I like the Tigers."
Rory Garvin, Sports Writer: Auburn 82-77
"Johni Broome vs Ryan Kalkbrenner. The potential National Player of the Year vs. a four-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year. This one will be worth the admission price inside the hallowed halls of Rupp Arena. Rebounding has been an issue recently for Auburn, and dealing with Creighton’s length isn’t an easy task. The Blue Jays’ guards led by Jamiya Neal, who is averaging 6.3 boards a game, also get in on their rebounding effort. I expect Auburn seniors Dylan Cardwell and Broome to 'man up' to help the Tigers return to their mid-season form on the glass. Offensively, Miles Kelly will continue his scoring barrage. Inside Rupp Arena this season, Kelly is shooting an absurd 54% from the field, and 55% from downtown. Kelly’s three ball and Broome working in the paint will lead Auburn to their first Sweet 16 appearance since the historic 2019 team’s run."
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