Auburn previews round of 32 matchup with Miami

After a commanding victory over 15 seed Jacksonville State, Auburn gets a date with 10 seed Miami.

The Hurricanes are coming off an up-and-down victory over Southern California on Friday, defeating the Trojans 68-66. Miami and USC saw eight lead changes over the final 11 minutes of the contest, with Miami winning on two free throws with three seconds left.

Unlike the Gamecocks in Auburn’s first matchup, a team that slows the pace and shoots mostly three pointers, the Hurricanes are a fast, guard-oriented team that wants to get downhill and attack. 

“They’re in a lot of close games, and they win a lot of close games because they have got great guard play,” said head coach Bruce Pearl. “They’re not fazed.”

Miami boasts the No. 1 rated transition offense in the country, led by guards Charlie Moore and Isaiah Wong. 

Moore, a sixth-year senior, is one of four Miami players that are in their sixth year of college hoops.

Pearl noted that Miami’s age and experience will be a big factor in Sunday night’s game. 

“My best player is 18,” said Pearl. “Their best player is 25.” 

Moore and Wong are flanked by fourth-year junior guard Jordan Miller, sixth-year redshirt junior Sam Waardenburg and sixth-year red shirt senior Kameron McGusty. 

Wong exploded for a game-high 22 points against the Trojans, shooting just 12 shots and making seven.

Moore added 16 points in 36 minutes and McGusty put up 12 in 37 minutes. 

However, it was the Miami defense that really pushed the Hurricanes into the second round of the Tournament.

Miami totaled 12 steals in Friday’s game and forced 18 turnovers. On the season, Miami forced double-digit turnovers 14 times and 11 times over the past 20 games. 

“They switch like crazy,” Pearl said. “They double the post. They turn you over before you get a shot. They just make plays. They’re going to force us to make some shots from the perimeter, and we’ll have to make those to win.”

Against JSU, Auburn only turned the ball over 11 times, with Jabari Smith having an uncharacteristic four of them. 

Point guard Zep Jasper said that Auburn is going to have to tighten up if it is going to beat the tenacious Hurricane defense. 

“Miami is a great team,” Jasper said. “They’ve got great guards, well coached. It’s going to be a tough opponent. They’re going to come out ready to play. They’re underdogs right now, and we know it’s going to be a good game.”

For Miami, the Hurricanes rarely ever turn the ball over. On Friday, Miami had just three turnovers, with two of them belonging to Moore. 

Miami’s three turnovers were its lowest in a game since 2014 and Miami is the best in the ACC in total turnover margin. 

The Hurricanes have forced 473 turnovers and have committed just 320, good for a +4.50 turnover margin. Miami also ranks sixth in the country in offensive turnover percentage.

“We are going to try to force them into turnovers and just play our game like we always do,” said Wendell Green Jr. “Guard them, and make them take tough shots over us.”

Auburn will be at full strength on Sunday, after losing Jaylin Williams to a facial injury midway through Friday’s game.

After catching an errant elbow from Walker Kessler, Williams had to be taken to the locker room and did not return to the game. 

Williams, who has a chipped tooth or two because of the injury, practiced Saturday and has been cleared to play on Sunday. 

“Jaylin Williams practiced today. He had some dental repair work done yesterday,” Pearl said.

The coach also noted that Williams cleared his concussion protocol on Friday and Saturday. 

Sunday’s game will most likely be predicated on defense and what defense can stop the other’s explosive offense.

Both teams boast great defenses and heavy scoring output, but Jasper thinks Auburn’s team is simply different than the ACC competition that Miami faces. 

“We are a team that plays defense,” Jasper said. “We hang our heads high on defense. So, I think we are going to come out hot and ready to go. They have not seen a defense like us.”