In one of the key battles in college basketball tonight, the Ole Miss Rebels will travel to face the No. 1-ranked Auburn Tigers.
Both teams are on track to make a run in March Madness, so this game has the potential to be great.
Ole Miss vs. Auburn Tigers Key Players
When this team tips off on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. ET, a lot of eyes will be on the likes of star players on both sides.
Starting with the home team in Auburn, the Tigers have plenty of depth and talent. Forward Johni Broome leads the team in points per game (18.6), rebounds per game (11.1), and assists per game (3.4).
He is a true force and the straw that stirs the drink for head coach Bruce Pearl and Co. Guard Denver Jones is shooting 43.6% from three-point range and could also be a key factor.
When it comes to Ole Miss, guard Sean Pedulla is the focal point for the Rebels. He leads the team in points per game (14.8), assists per game (3.8), and steals per game (2.0).
In order to win games in college basketball, you need to have players play tough on both sides of the ball, which is exactly what Pedulla does.
Fellow guard Jaylen Murray is also a good shooter from beyond the mark as he is currently shooting 40.8% from three-point range.
What’s at Stake?
The Auburn Tigers are both the best team in the SEC and the best team in America right now. Since Dec. 4, the Tigers have lost just one time (Feb. 8 vs Florida).
However, they are just a game ahead of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC standings and need to stay in good standing when it comes to earning a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
KEEP READING: SEC Tournament Projections
For Ole Miss, the Rebels are in good shape at 19-8 overall to make the NCAA Tournament. However, the Tigers put up 92 points and won by 10 points the last time they faced the Rebels earlier in the season.
While a loss would not be a big blow to the Rebels, a win over the No. 1 team in the country on the road could be huge, seeing as momentum is a very real thing in sports.
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