Auburn prepares for unique ‘challenge’ from Miami in Round of 32
GREENVILLE, S.C. – On their way to and from practice and video study Saturday, Auburn’s players received congratulations and well wishes from Tiger fans around their downtown hotel.
“Seeing the March Madness logo all around, being in the hotel, everybody talking to you, it’s just a real good experience,” freshman Jabari Smith said. “It’s something you always watch on TV, something you always want to be a part of when you’re younger. It’s just a dream come true. Trying to take it in and be here as long as possible.”
Behind double-doubles from Smith and Walker Kessler, second-seeded Auburn eliminated Jacksonville State 80-61 Friday, earning a second-round matchup Sunday with 10th-seeded Miami.
“Seeing us make shots, seeing us play with that joy that we had to start the season, that chip on our shoulder,” said Smith, who led Auburn with 20 points and a career-high 14 rebounds. “When we’re playing like that, it’s hard to beat us. Having fun, playing defense like that and playing together, that’s when we’re at our best. It was fun to get back to that.”
After the Tigers beat the Gamecocks, Auburn coach Bruce Pearl immediately turned his attention to Miami, for which assistant coach Ira Bowman and his team had already prepared a scouting report.
“Last night they were ready to get me ready,” Pearl said. “Then we showed the team a few things. Last night and this morning, they continued to work to get me ready. I got my team more ready. We went through a lot of stuff out there today, and we have tonight and tomorrow. The short prep, it’s not a problem.”
The challenge, Pearl says, comes from Miami’s personnel and system, a five-out offense that takes advantage of the Hurricanes’ seasoned backcourt.
“What Miami does is different,” he said. “We haven’t played anybody like Miami all year. That’s going to really be a challenge for us. Not the prep, but the actual contest.”
With a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line, the Tigers (28-5) and Hurricanes (24-10) tip off Sunday at approximately 6:45 p.m. CT, after Duke plays Michigan State. Andy Burcham and Sonny Smith will call the action from Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Jim Nantz, Bill Raftery, Grant Hill and Tracy Wolfson handle the truTV broadcast.
“I think we’re coming along great as a team, looking for each other, not worried about individual stats,” said Wendell Green Jr., who had nine points and six assists against Jacksonville State. “We keep doing that, I feel like we’re one of the best teams in the country.”
“It’s going to be a tough game for us,” said Zep Jasper, who had six points and four assists in the first round. “We hang our heads high on defense, so I think we’re going to come out hot and be ready to go.
“I believe they’ve never seen a defense like us, where we come out and one through five can switch. I think it’s going to be a good game, and the pressure’s going to be all on us.”
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer
