Pearl Labels Arkansas Toughest Team on Auburn's Schedule

Says Razorbacks much improved over team Tigers took down last year in SEC play

Author:
Kent Smith
Updated:
Jan 6, 2024 9:55 AM EST
Original:
Jan 6, 2024

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Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl isn't buying into the idea his Tigers are about to wander into Bud Walton Arena to face an Arkansas team that is down this year. Instead, he recognizes three of the four losses are against Top 15 teams, sees the win over Duke while watching film from the rest of the season and laments Auburn is about to play the toughest game on its schedule all season.

"They're better offensively this year than they were last year," Pearl said. "Even though they lost a couple of first round draft picks. They're just they're better. They're quicker in the backcourt they're faster. They shoot it better last year."

Last season, Auburn was able to successfully execute the same plan everyone else who played Arkansas tough was able to do. Limit drives to the basket and force the Razorbacks to beat the Tigers with jump shots. As a result, the Hogs never shot better than 34% in either half and fell rather easily, 72-59.

"If they had an Achilles heel, it was their ability to shoot the basketball," Pearl said. "That's not the case this year. They're they're shooting it 35% from three and they make seven on the game. So our great challenge will be obviously be defensively. How do we how do we guard them?"

Auburn has identified two variables that can determine the game. If the Arkansas fans get into it and let loose the way they have when Auburn has come to town in the past, Pearl says his team's chances are low at best. However, if the Tigers can keep the crowd quiet and force the Razorbacks to fall within a specific magic number, Auburn is almost guaranteed to slip out with a win in its SEC opener.

"In their losses, they've been in the mid 70s, low 70s," Pearl said. "And so, you know, they're scoring 82, we're holding teams to 68. If we can if we can hold them down in the 70s, we've got a fighting chance."

If the Razorbacks do fall, Pearl says it will be the biggest win of the year despite knocking off No. 18 Baylor in the odd neutral site of Sioux Falls, South Dakota in a non-tournament game.

"This team is more talented than Baylor," Pearl said. "They've got they got more depth. And you know they were preseason pick third in our league, so not everybody will be able to have a go to Arkansas and have a chance. You know we hope to be a team that can go on the road and compete with the best teams in our league, and this is certainly one of them."