Post a Free Blog

Submit A Press Release

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Filter by Categories
Action
Animation
ATP Tour (ATP)
Auto Racing
Baseball
Basketball
Boxing
Breaking News
Business
Business
Business Newsletter
Call of Duty (CALLOFDUTY)
Canadian Football League (CFL)
Car
Celebrity
Champions Tour (CHAMP)
Comedy
CONCACAF
Counter Strike Global Offensive (CSGO)
Crime
Dark Comedy
Defense of the Ancients (DOTA)
Documentary and Foreign
Drama
eSports
European Tour (EPGA)
Fashion
FIFA
FIFA Women’s World Cup (WWC)
FIFA World Cup (FIFA)
Fighting
Football
Formula 1 (F1)
Fortnite
Golf
Health
Hockey
Horror
IndyCar Series (INDY)
International Friendly (FRIENDLY)
Kids & Family
League of Legends (LOL)
LPGA
Madden
Major League Baseball (MLB)
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
MLS
Movie and Music
Movie Trailers
Music
Mystery
NASCAR Cup Series (NAS)
National Basketball Association (NBA)
National Football League (NFL)
National Hockey League (NHL)
National Women's Soccer (NWSL)
NBA Development League (NBAGL)
NBA2K
NCAA Baseball (NCAABBL)
NCAA Basketball (NCAAB)
NCAA Football (NCAAF)
NCAA Hockey (NCAAH)
Olympic Mens (OLYHKYM)
Other
Other Sports
Overwatch
PGA
Politics
Premier League (PREM)
Romance
Sci-Fi
Science
Soccer
Sports
Sports
Technology
Tennis
Thriller
Truck Series (TRUCK)
True Crime
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
Uncategorized
US
Valorant
Western
Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Women’s NCAA Basketball (WNCAAB)
World
World Cup Qualifier (WORLDCUP)
WTA Tour (WTA)
Xfinity (XFT)
XFL
0
-- Advertisement --spot_img
HomeSportsBasketballElite defenses clash as No. 11 Auburn visits No. 4 Houston

Elite defenses clash as No. 11 Auburn visits No. 4 Houston

Add to Favorite
Added to Favorite


No. 11 Auburn heads to No. 4 Houston for a Saturday night rematch of last season’s NCAA Tournament clash.

The Cougars beat the Tigers 81-64 in the second round in March and both teams have rosters loaded with players who experienced that game.

A defensive showdown could await, as Kenpom.com analytics has Houston ranked No. 1 and Auburn No. 2.

“We are the two top teams on defense in the country according to Kenpom,” Tigers coach Bruce Pearl said. “So, it could be the first team to score 50 points wins.”

Preseason All-American Johni Broome had 12 points and seven rebounds in a 94-43 season-opening home win against Vermont on Wednesday. Miles Kelly came off the bench to lead Auburn (1-0) with 21 points. Denver Jones scored 16 points, Chaney Johnson added 13 and Chad Baker-Mazara had 11.

Because the Tigers have a deep, veteran roster, Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said he expects at least 10 Auburn players will get double-digit minutes in playing time.

“You have got to be really on your execution on baseline out of bounds plays, sidelines out of bounds plays and out of timeout plays,” Sampson said. “(Auburn) plays anywhere from five to seven different defenses and has a first-team All-American. Which means every game they play they’ll be favored to win because they have the best player on the floor just about every night.”

Houston (1-0) opened its season with a 97-40 home win against Jackson State on Monday. LJ Cryer had 16 points, Mylik Wilson scored 15 and J’Wan Roberts (14) and Ramon Walker Jr. (10) also scored in double figures.

The Cougars shot 60 percent from 3-point range (12 of 20) and scored 47 points off the bench. Jackson State was held to zero fast break points and only managed two second-chance points.

“Houston is well coached,” Pearl said. “Kelvin Sampson teams have played the same way for a long time. They play hard, they play physical and are a great rebounding team. They are a great defensive team that wins every 50-50 ball. They play the right way and as a team. There’s a culture there for sure.”

Pearl said the team that wins the rebounding battle will hold an advantage. Auburn held a 43-31 edge against Vermont and Houston outrebounded Jackson State 39-25.

“They bring back all but one player, so we are going to get exposed,” Pearl said. “We think it’ll be important as to whoever wins the rebounding battle.”

Both coaches are veterans and know each other well, which might not always be an advantage according to Sampson.

“Bruce’s teams are always hard to play against,” Sampson said. “Some teams are hard to prepare for but easier to play against. Then there are teams that are hard to prepare for and hard to play against. His teams are like that. They create havoc because every possession is an opportunity to force a turnover.”

This is the first in a home-and-home series between the two teams. Next year the Cougars will travel to Alabama to play the Tigers.

–Field Level Media

Subscribe to get Latest News Updates

Latest News

You may like more
more

No. 8 Houston, Louisiana both see room for improvement

Houston lost its most recent game, however the Cougars'...

Alex Karaban, No. 3 UConn look to set standard vs. Le Moyne

Third-ranked UConn will look to win its 30th straight...

NCAAF News: Washington bids to ride black-out to victory vs. UCLA

From a white-out to a black-out. After suffering a 35-6...

NHL News: Canucks’ Jonathan Lekkerimaki to make debut vs. Flames

The Vancouver Canucks expect to receive a boost with...