Missouri vs. Auburn Basketball
Auburn forward Cinmeon Bowers (5) celebrates a score over Missouri Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, at Auburn Arena in Auburn, Ala. Auburn beat Missouri 85-79. (Julie Bennett/ jbennett@al.com)
(JULIE BENNETT)
WHAT
Auburn men's basketball (9-6, 1-1 SEC) at Florida (9-6, 2-0)
WHEN
Jan. 15 at 6 p.m. CT
WHERE
Stephen C. O'Connell Center, Gainesville, Fla.
TV
ESPN2
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUPS
Auburn
— G K.C. Ross-Miller, G Antoine Mason, G K.T. Harrell, F Jordon Granger, F Cinmeon Bowers
Florida
— G Chris Chiozza, G Kasey Hill, F Chris Walker, F Dorian Finney-Smith, F Devin Robinson
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Auburn
— Auburn distributed the basketball very well against Missouri last weekend as five players reached double digits in scoring. Cinmeon Bowers led the way and got his ninth double-double of the year with a 20-point, 14-rebound effort. Eleven of those points came at the free throw line, so it will be crucial for Bowers to draw fouls in the paint again. He is averaging 13.7 points per game and ranks sixth in the nation with 11.3 rebounds per contest.
Florida
— Dorian Finney-Smith was the SEC's Sixth Man of the Year last season and currently ranks first in points and second in rebounds for Florida.
OFF THE BENCH
Auburn
— Tahj Shamsid-Deen came off the bench for the second consecutive game last week against Missouri, but proved he's still a valuable guard with 10 points and one assists in 23 minutes on the court.
Florida
— Eli Carter turned in a phenomenal performance last weekend against Mississippi State, going 6-for-8 from the floor. He made four 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 20 points and added three assists. Carter missed several games this season with a foot sprain and strep throat. Watch for his impressive play to carry over against the Tigers.
WHY IT MATTERS
Florida is riding a 23-game SEC winning streak into this game, but Auburn's Bruce Pearl is 9-6 all-time against Gators head coach Billy Donovan. The Tigers, however, haven't won a game in Gainesville since 1995. Auburn appears to meshing at the right time, but pulling off this upset is easier said than done. Expect Florida's defense and rebounding to be the difference as the Gators aim for their 18th win in the last 19 games with Auburn.
PREDICTION
Florida 71, Auburn 60