The No. 12 South Carolina Gamecocks enter Wednesday’s game against No. 11 Auburn on a tear by winning seven straight games. Can the Tigers cool them off? ESPN believes so.
Ahead of Wednesday’s game at Neville Arena, ESPN’s matchup predictor forecasts Auburn to win big over the Gamecocks by giving them an 89.7% chance to get the job done.
The duel between the Tigers and Gamecocks is the best matchup in the SEC for the day according to ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, which gives the game a score of 78.7 on the matchup quality scale, and is the day’s fourth-best game. Tennessee’s trip to Arkansas is next in line with a matchup quality grade of 73.0 and is No. 7 overall.
Outside of points allowed, Auburn is better than South Carolina in every major statistical category. The Gamecocks allow 64 points per game while Auburn gives up 67.1. The Tigers score an average of 82.3 points per game compared to South Carolina’s 72.6 points scored per contest. Auburn has a higher field goal percentage, and leads the rebounding, assists, blocks, and steals categories also.
South Carolina is the worst team in the Power Five when it comes to tempo by earning an average of 62.7 possessions per game, which ranks No. 355 in the nation according to KenPom. Auburn, the nation’s No. 71 team in tempo, must find ways to control the game by forcing South Carolina to play at their speed. If they can do that, expect Auburn to lure in a great SEC win on Wednesday.
Auburn faces South Carolina on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. CT in Neville Arena. Click here to get the full preview of this pivotal SEC matchup.
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