Overview
- Tipoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. CT on ESPN from McKale Memorial Center in Tucson.
- Auburn enters at 7-2 after beating NC State and sits at No. 20 in the AP poll.
- Coach Steven Pearl said illnesses and injuries have affected the Tigers this week, with Simon Walker out against NC State, Keyshawn Hall playing while sick, and Abdul Bashir managing a back issue.
- Arizona is unbeaten at No. 2 with top-15 KenPom efficiency, a tall front line led by Koa Peat and elite rebounder Tobe Awaka, and freshman Ivan Kharchenkov expected to be available.
- Jay Bilas highlighted rebounding as decisive, noting Arizona averages 42.6 boards per game to Auburn’s 39.2 and urging a gang-rebounding approach for the Tigers.