How Auburn Wire sees this game going
The up and down stretch continued the last time out for Bruce Pearl. The Tigers held a first-half lead but a prolonged scoring drought allow the Tennessee Vols to get back in it. They took control and held off a late rally by Auburn, 67-62.
In this game, I would fully expect the Tigers to look to impose their will on the Bulldogs. Mississippi State comes into the game with a 17-12 (8-8) record. The Bulldogs are 3-2 over their last five with losses to South Carolina and their most recent loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide.
If the Bulldogs get outrebounded again as they did against the Tide, the Tigers should be able to take advantage in the game. Walker Kessler and Jabari Smith could live on the boards, setting up more scoring opportunities for their teammates.