No. 1 Auburn Travels to No. 23 Georgia for SEC Showdown
Top-ranked Auburn heads to Athens, Georgia, on Saturday to face No. 23 Georgia in a pivotal SEC matchup. The Tigers are riding high after extending their winning streak to nine games with an 88-66 victory over No. 15 Mississippi State on Tuesday. Despite their recent success, Auburn (16-1, 4-0 SEC) faces challenges, including the absence of star forward Johni Broome.
Auburn Adjusting Without Johni Broome
Broome, who ranks fifth in the SEC with 17.9 points per game, is sidelined indefinitely with a left ankle sprain sustained during Auburn’s narrow 66-63 win over South Carolina last weekend. In his absence, the Tigers showcased their depth, with Chad Baker-Mazara scoring 20 points and Chaney Johnson adding 17 in his first start of the season against Mississippi State.
Head coach Bruce Pearl emphasized the importance of team contributions, saying, “We’re going to miss Johni on the offensive end more than anything. But our guys knew what they needed to do. Everyone stepped up.” Pearl highlighted Johnson’s effort, calling him “my hardest working player” and praising his commitment to improving his game.
Baker-Mazara and Tahaad Pettiford continue to provide scoring depth, averaging 13.1 and 11.3 points per game, respectively.
Georgia Seeks Bounce-Back Win
Georgia (14-3, 2-2 SEC) entered the Top 25 for the first time since 2011 after recent victories over No. 6 Kentucky and No. 17 Oklahoma. However, the Bulldogs suffered a setback on Wednesday, falling 74-56 to No. 6 Tennessee. Despite leading at halftime, Georgia struggled in the second half, where they were outscored 49-30.
Head coach Mike White remains optimistic about Saturday’s matchup, especially with Georgia’s perfect 11-0 home record. “It’s going to be a battle,” White said. “We look forward to Stegeman (Coliseum) rocking and giving Auburn our best shot.”
Freshman Asa Newell led the Bulldogs with 13 points against Tennessee and has been a standout all season, averaging 15.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. Silas Demary Jr. and Dakota Leffew add depth with averages of 11.9 and 12.1 points, respectively.
What’s at Stake
Auburn aims to maintain its momentum and hold on to the No. 1 spot, while Georgia seeks a signature win to solidify its Top 25 ranking. With both teams showing grit and depth, fans can expect an intense battle in Athens. The two teams will meet again in Auburn on February 22.