Perhaps not envisioning that a pivotal moment in the 2023-24 season would unfold on a February Saturday night in Oxford, Mississippi, Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl found Ole Miss to be a formidable opponent with an unexpected 18-3 overall record in the SEC.
Despite Ole Miss being a team with a historical high number of losses in the SEC, their impressive performance this season made them a significant Quad 1 opportunity for No. 16 Auburn, especially after beating them once in January when Ole Miss was ranked in the AP top 25.
Following Auburn’s 91-77 victory on Saturday, completing a season sweep over Ole Miss, Pearl declared it as the “best win of the year” for Auburn. From a statistical standpoint, he was accurate.
Before the game, Auburn lacked a Quad 1 win, standing at 0-4 in such games but maintaining a perfect record of 17-0 in all others.
Ole Miss, ranked at No. 59, provided Auburn with its first Quad 1 win as they dominated the latter part of the game, outscoring Ole Miss 62-35 in the final 22:35.
The game showcased Auburn’s resilience, particularly in the second half when they reversed a struggling defense and limited Ole Miss to only 11 made baskets.
Individual performances, such as Johni Broome’s 15 points in the second half and Chad Baker-Mazara’s 12 points, contributed to Auburn’s turnaround.
Coach Pearl highlighted Broome’s significance, acknowledging the potential for double-teams and the presence of shot-blockers.
While Ole Miss may not be Auburn’s highest-rated opponent in terms of NET rankings, the Quad 1 win holds importance for Auburn’s NCAA Tournament resume.
It signifies a turning point for the team’s confidence and their ability to compete in challenging road games, an area where they struggled earlier in the season.
The victory in Oxford not only narrowed the gap in the SEC standings, with Auburn trailing just behind Alabama, but it also served as a crucial moment for Auburn’s pursuit of an SEC regular-season championship.
Pearl expressed satisfaction with the team’s response on the road, emphasizing the significance of winning against top teams in the conference.
Looking ahead, Auburn recognizes the need for more Quad 1 wins to strengthen their tournament prospects, but the Ole Miss triumph has instilled confidence in the team’s ability to secure such victories.
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