No. 1 Auburn hunts first win at No. 17 Kentucky in 37 years

Prime-ranked Auburn has clinched a double bye within the upcoming Southeastern Convention match and stands one victory away from clinching a minimum of a share of the SEC regular-season crown.

However that is not the one prize of main significance out there when the Tigers battle Kentucky on Saturday afternoon at Lexington, Ky.

Auburn (26-2, 14-1 SEC) has set its sights on profitable at Kentucky for simply the third time in program historical past. The Tigers have misplaced 20 consecutive visits to Lexington since notching a 53-52 upset of then-No. 1 Kentucky on Jan. 9, 1988.

Total, the Tigers are 2-51 in Lexington, with the opposite victory coming in 1983.

“The rationale why we’ve got not gained there’s as a result of, traditionally, Kentucky’s been the very best group within the league,” mentioned Auburn coach Bruce Pearl, who’s 0-6 in Lexington throughout his 11 seasons.

“And traditionally, we’ve not been among the best groups within the league over an extended time frame. However we’re making an attempt to place a dent in that proper now.”

Auburn has gained its final 5 video games and holds a stellar 7-1 document on the street. Additionally hanging within the distance is the varsity document of 30 wins, set in 2018-19 when the Tigers finally misplaced to Virginia within the Closing 4.

However first up is thrashing Kentucky and clinching a share of the regular-season crown.

“I would say I am happy with this group and this workers for all of the work we have put in,” mentioned star heart Johni Broome, a Nationwide Participant of the Yr candidate. “It is lastly displaying a bit of bit. Job’s not completed.

“It might be good to clinch it at Kentucky. Clearly, they are a historic program.”

Broome leads Auburn in scoring (18.8 factors per recreation), rebounding (11.0) and blocked pictures (66 whole). Chad Baker-Mazara ranks second in scoring at 12.7 per recreation and has a team-best 33 steals.

Kentucky (19-9, 8-7) has gained 4 of its final six video games and shares seventh within the SEC with Ole Miss. The Wildcats are 14-2 at dwelling.

Kentucky is coming off a stable 83-82 street win over Oklahoma through which Otega Oweh knocked down the profitable shot with 6.4 seconds left.

Oweh scored the Wildcats’ ultimate 18 factors and completed with a career-high 28 factors in opposition to his former group.

“I imply, it is an important feeling coming to your previous house, getting a win,” Oweh mentioned. “As a basketball participant, it is simply cool to go in there, to have that.”

First-year Kentucky coach Mark Pope was thrilled to see the resiliency of his group.

“I do suppose our guys captured or had an expertise that they’ll name again on after we get on this, in a really comparable recreation,” Pope mentioned. “And so I like that. I like that we’ve got it in our pocket.”

Wildcats level guard Lamont Butler (shoulder) returned from a three-game absence and had seven factors and 6 assists in 20 minutes at Oklahoma earlier than fouling out.

Jaxson Robinson (wrist) returned from a four-game absence and had seven factors in 12 first-half minutes earlier than being compelled to take a seat out within the second half when the wrist flared up.

Oweh leads Kentucky with a 16.1 scoring common. Robinson is second in scoring (13.0) and 3-pointers (62), whereas Butler is third in scoring (12.3) and leads the Wildcats in 4.7 assists per recreation.

Koby Brea paces the Wildcats with 71 treys.

–Discipline Degree Media