While the Clemson Tigers fell to the Cowboys, Auburn had no trouble mauling Alabama—well, the Alabama State Hornets, at least. If it had been the Crimson Tide, things might have looked different. But despite an 83-63 victory, Bruce Pearl wasn’t celebrating. Instead, he was fuming. Sloppy possessions, bricked free throws, and defensive lapses? That won’t fly in March. And with a battle-tested Creighton squad up next, Auburn’s locker room is feeling the pressure.
After thrashing the Hornets by 20 points the Coach for the no 1 seed in the south had some choice words regarding the match in the post-game press conference.“We missed, again, we missed 14 free throws. We made 18, and that’s going to catch us in a close game,” Pearl said in the postgame press conference. “These next games got a chance to be closer, so we got to sharpen up in that area.”
Auburn shot a dismal 56.3% (18-32) from the free throw line, barely edging out Alabama State’s 57.9% (11-19). Against a weaker opponent, it didn’t matter. But Pearl knows that in March, every possession counts. “Did we value every possession on the defensive end? Did we value it on the offensive end, scoring through contact, or did we just rely on the whistle?”
Pearl’s frustration didn’t end there. Auburn turned the ball over 12 times, gifting Alabama State 14 points off those mistakes. The Tigers also relied on inefficient perimeter shooting, jacking up 35 threes and making just 31.4%. That’s the kind of shot selection that can sink a team when the pressure ratchets up. “You can do that against a team that you’re better than, but we won’t be able to do that from this point forward,” Pearl warned.
And he’s right. Creighton isn’t Alabama State. “Creighton is still a very veteran team that they’ve been through it. They’re not going to beat themselves,” Pearl said. The Bluejays are battle-tested, disciplined, and unlikely to collapse under pressure. If Auburn repeats its first-round mistakes—missed free throws, wasted possessions, and erratic shooting—there won’t be a third round to worry about.
The Tigers dominated the boards, out-rebounding Alabama State 46-36, including a crucial 14 offensive rebounds. But against a team like Creighton, which thrives on efficient shot selection and ball movement, even that might not be enough. Pearl’s message to his team was clear: fix the flaws now, or risk an early exit.
Creighton presents a vastly different challenge compared to Alabama State, and Auburn will need to clean up its mistakes to advance. The Bluejays are an experienced, disciplined squad that won’t beat themselves—meaning Auburn can’t afford to do it for them.
Energy vs. Efficiency: Bruce Pearl’s Tigers clash with Creighton’s precision
To keep pace, the Tigers will need to rely on what they do best: high-octane basketball. Auburn thrives on relentless rebounding, high-paced offense, and sheer athleticism. They crash the glass hard, pulling down 34.7 rebounds per game (41st nationally) and snagging 7.4 offensive boards. But while Auburn wins with energy, Creighton counters with precision. The Bluejays rank 44th in field goal percentage (47.7%) and 7th in three-point efficiency (34.2%). If Auburn doesn’t lock down the perimeter, Creighton’s sharpshooters could light them up from deep.
NCAA, College League, USA Basketball: Missouri at Auburn Jan 4, 2025 Auburn, Alabama, USA Auburn Tigers forward Johni Broome 4 reacts after making a three-point basket against the Missouri Tigers during the first half at Neville Arena. Auburn Neville Arena Alabama USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJohnxReedx 20250104_tbs_sr5_370
One of Auburn’s biggest red flags? Free throws. The Tigers shot an ugly 56.3% from the line against Alabama State—a glaring weakness that could cost them in a tight game. Creighton, on the other hand, is far more reliable at the stripe, knocking down 73.0% of its free throws. If this game comes down to late-game execution, Auburn’s struggles at the line could be the difference between moving on or going home.
Defensively, Auburn has one of the best rim protectors in the country, ranking 2nd in blocks per game (4.6). But Creighton’s offense isn’t built on reckless drives—it thrives on ball movement and efficient shot selection. The Bluejays rank 14th in assist-to-turnover ratio, meaning they don’t beat themselves. Auburn’s challenge? Creating pressure without overcommitting and leaving Creighton’s shooters wide open.
Key Matchups to Watch
Johni Broome vs. Ryan Kalkbrenner – Auburn’s dominant big man goes head-to-head with Creighton’s elite shot-blocker. Broome has been a force in the paint, but Kalkbrenner’s rim protection and efficient scoring will test him.
Auburn’s Perimeter Defense vs. Creighton’s Shooters – If the Tigers fail to close out on threes, Creighton will make them pay. Auburn’s ability to contest shots and disrupt the Bluejays’ rhythm will be critical.
Bruce Pearl vs. Greg McDermott – A battle of coaching philosophies. Pearl’s aggressive, high-energy approach contrasts with McDermott’s methodical, disciplined game plan. It’s a chess match between two seasoned minds, and the winner could dictate the game’s tempo.
Auburn has the firepower to dominate, but Creighton has the discipline to exploit weaknesses. The question is: will the Tigers clean up their mistakes in time, or will the Bluejays pick them apart?
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