Auburn Faces Mississippi State Without Star Player in SEC Showdown

AUBURN, Ala. — The No. 1 Auburn Tigers, riding a 15-1 record, will face a significant challenge Tuesday night as they host the No. 15 Mississippi State Bulldogs without their star player, Johni Broome. The game, set for 7 p.m. ET at Neville Arena, marks a critical SEC matchup for both teams.

Auburn, which has won three of its last four games against Mississippi State, will be without Broome due to an ankle injury. The Tigers’ leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 17.9 points and 10.7 rebounds per game, will be sidelined, putting additional pressure on the team’s depth. Head coach Bruce Pearl acknowledged the challenge, stating, “We’ll need everyone to step up in Broome’s absence.”

Mississippi State, meanwhile, enters the game with a 14-2 record (2-1 SEC) and is coming off a five-point loss to Kentucky. The Bulldogs, led by second-year head coach Chris Jans, have emerged as one of the SEC’s most improved teams this season. Their offense, ranked 18th in the NCAA NET rankings, has been a key factor, with sophomore guard Josh Hubbard leading the charge at 17 points per game.

“Chris Jans has always been recognized as a great defensive coach,” Pearl said during a press conference. “But this year, this might be one of his best offensive teams. They really shoot it. They run stuff that’s hard to guard.”

Hubbard, a prolific 3-point shooter, will be a focal point for Auburn’s defense. The 5-foot-11 guard ranks second in the SEC in 3-point attempts (134) and has been a consistent scorer against the Tigers, averaging 20 points in three games last season. Mississippi State also boasts fifth-year forward Cameron Matthews, who leads the team in assists (4 per game) and is an efficient scorer around the rim.

For Auburn, the absence of Broome will test their depth and rebounding. Chaney Johnson, who averages 5.3 rebounds per game, is expected to start in Broome’s place. Johnson, who scored 26 points in a game earlier this season when Broome was injured, will need to avoid foul trouble and provide a spark on both ends of the floor.

Mississippi State’s physicality and offensive rebounding (ranked in the top 50 nationally) will pose a challenge for Auburn, which has struggled on the defensive glass in recent games. The Bulldogs’ ability to create turnovers (14.4% steal percentage, 10th in the nation) could also disrupt Auburn’s rhythm.

Despite the challenges, Auburn remains a 7.5-point favorite, according to SportsLine consensus odds. The Tigers have five players averaging double figures in scoring, providing balance in Broome’s absence. However, Mississippi State has covered the spread in five of its last seven road games, making this a compelling matchup for bettors and fans alike.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET, with the game airing on ESPN. The outcome could have significant implications for both teams’ standings in the SEC and NCAA Tournament seeding.