Auburn vs Missouri: 2022-23 SEC basketball game preview, prediction

SEC basketball fans, this should be a good one. A rematch of last year’s January battle, where #1 Auburn barely edged out Missouri, winning 55-54. This time, I don’t think it’ll be the same, as this is a not only a completely different Missouri squad, but, an Auburn team on a downward trend.

Here’s what you need to know ahead of Tuesday’s clash.

Auburn vs Missouri: 2022-23 SEC basketball game preview, prediction

Missouri

At 19-6, this team is an offensive powerhouse. Led by forward Kobe Brown and guard D’Moi Hodge, this team averages 82.1 PPG. They’ll have momentum on their side, coming off a stunning buzzer beater win at Tennessee, where they put up 86 points, on a team that surrendered the least points in college basketball at the time. The Tigers can score from all over, and, they can seemingly do it at will.

However, they’ve struggled on the defensive end this year. In fact, they’ve given up 75.2 PPG, and at least 70 in five of their last seven. This will be something to watch.

Auburn

Auburn is led by guard Wendell Green Jr., who averages 14.3 PPG, for a team who scores 72.2 PPG.

After beginning the season 16-3, Green and Co. will enter this game as losers of five out of their last six, now sitting at 17-8, and, out of the top 25. In their most recent affair against #1 Alabama, they played well enough to win, but wound up getting outscored 8-3 in the final minutes of the game, to lose 77-69.

This will be a huge game for an Auburn squad who will hope to stymie one of the hottest offenses in college basketball, and get back on the winning end.

Auburn vs Missouri Game Prediction

Yes, Auburn is a different team at home at 11-2. You can also make the argument that Missouri struggles on the road. However, they are simply too hot right now, playing with all the confidence in the world. This will no doubt be a high scoring battle, and I see Missouri edging this one out by 7 points. Prediction: Auburn 72, Missouri 79