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Auburn vs Vanderbilt: 2021-22 SEC Basketball game preview, TV schedule

By Matt Melton

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - FEBRUARY 08: Walker Kessler #13 of the Auburn Tigers walks to the bench during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena on February 08, 2022 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Tigers 80-76. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - FEBRUARY 08: Walker Kessler #13 of the Auburn Tigers walks to the bench during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena on February 08, 2022 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Tigers 80-76. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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2021-22 SEC Basketball Game Preview: No. 2 Auburn vs Vanderbilt

When: Wednesday, February 16 at 9:00 pm ET on SEC Network

Location: Auburn Arena, Auburn, AL

Having fallen out of the No. 1 overall ranking, Auburn welcomes Vanderbilt to town for a mid-week SEC Basketball matchup.

After suffering their first SEC Basketball loss of the season last week at Arkansas, the Tigers bounced-back in a dominant way on Saturday afternoon as Auburn defeated Texas A&M 75-58 at home. A game in which the Tigers never trailed, Auburn did however struggle mightily from three-point range going 3-for-25, but did have four players in double-figures led by guard Allen Flanigan with 16.

Despite falling from No. 1, the Tigers did not fall very-far as Auburn sits as the No. 2 team in the country at 23-2, as well as tops in the SEC at 11-1. A top 20 team nationally in both offensive and defensive efficiency according to KenPom, the Tigers average 80 PPG, as well as only allowing 66.7 PPG with a phenomenal 8.4 BPG defensively.

Led by the duo of Jabari Smith (15.2 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 39.7 3P%) and Walker Kessler (11.6 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 4.6 BPG), the Tigers have one of the top frontcourts in the country that also includes Jaylin Williams and Dylan Cardwell. In addition, Auburn’s guards in Wendell Green Jr, KD Johnson, and the recently returned Zep Jasper are among the tops in the conference, as well as the previously mentioned Flanigan and Devan Cambridge also playing key roles.

Vanderbilt comes to Auburn having won three of their last five, but did drop their most-recent contest at Tennessee 73-64 on Saturday. Despite trailing for a majority of the contest, Vanderbilt did shoot an impressive 37% from three-point range, as well as receiving a game-high 23 points from star guard Scotty Pippen Jr.

Having their best season since 2016-17, the Commodores are outside of the NCAA Tournament picture at 13-11 overall and 5-7 in SEC play. A strong team defensively that only allows 65.5 PPG, Vanderbilt does however struggle at times on offense averaging only 68.8 PPG, among the lowest in the conference.

The previously mentioned Pippen Jr is one of the top players in the conference, and leads the Commodores at 18.9 PPG, while other guards such as Rodney Chatman, Trey Thomas, and Jamaine Mann all play key roles. Jordan Wright is the Commodores primary scorer and rebounder down low, while Myles Stute and Quentin Millora-Brown both average 20+ MPG.

While Vanderbilt has played well in recent weeks, this trip to Auburn Arena to face one of the top overall teams in the country is a completely different story.

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The Commodores could struggle in the paint with Smith and Kessler, and must try to keep this game close in the first half, because if they fall behind by 10+ early, it’s over. Pippen Jr will certainly get his 15-20+ points, but this game you could certainly argue is a near lock for an Auburn win.

Prediction: Auburn 84, Vanderbilt 65

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