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Preview: Murray State at Auburn
Auburn looks to put together its first winning streak of the season when it hosts Murray State on Saturday in a non-conference matchup. The Tigers have looked good in their wins, but a 19-point loss to Northwestern State has raised some questions about Tony Barbee’s club. The Racers have alternated wins and losses, with their wins coming at home and their losses on the road.
Senior guard Chris Denson averages 21.3 points to lead the SEC in scoring while tying for eighth in the conference in assists at 3.3 per game. Murray State will need to concentrate its defense on stopping Denson from taking the game over on his own. The Racers have their own player to watch in Jarvis Williams, who is on a streak of three straight double-doubles.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, N/A
ABOUT MURRAY STATE (2-2): Coach Steve Prohm has been happy about the Racers’ offensive output — averaging 80.5 points _ but he’s more focused on his team’s defense. If Murray State is going to be successful this season, Prohm sees the defense as the key. “We are not really trying to overpower teams physically right now and really get out and pressure the ball and turn people over and get in the passing lanes,” Prohm told the Murray Ledger & Times. “We are trying to play a little more passive and keep the ball in front.”
ABOUT AUBURN (2-1): Barbee is hoping to find some depth on offense and not have to rely only on leading scorers Denson and KT Harrell, who is averaging 18.7 points. Junior guard Malcolm Canada has shown the ability to score as a reserve, including his 10-point effort in a win over Jacksonville State on Tuesday — part of a 32-point showing by the bench players. “If we can get 32 points off of the bench, we will take that every single night,” Barbee told al.com. “That’s the type of team that we should be.”
TIP-INS
1. Murray State G Dexter Fields averages 15.8 points to lead the team in scoring and has drained 11 of the Racers’ 23 conversions from 3-point range.
2. Tigers F Chris Griffin is taking an indefinite leave from the team to deal with a personal family issue.
3. Auburn leads the all-time series 2-1, though Murray State won the last meeting by 20 points last season.
PREDICTION: Auburn 76, Murray State 73
