Once a week, we’ll be previewing Auburn Basketball’s opponents for the upcoming week. This week, it’s the Saint Louis Billikens, and the Murray State Racers.
Saint Louis
The Billikens are 8-3 early in the season, and have an average point differential of 15.7 points per game. They’re coached by Travis Ford, who is entering his fifth year in the program. In the two years prior to Ford taking over the program, Saint Louis won only 22 total games. Since Ford took over, however, Saint Louis has won 23 games in back-to-back seasons, won their conference, and made an NCAA Tournament appearance.
Players to watch for: #24, Guard Gibson Jimerson and #1, Guard Yuri Collins
Collins is the primary passer for Saint Louis. The 6’0″ sophomore is the main set up man, and is averaging just shy of 8 assists per game. His scoring numbers won’t blow anyone away, but he’s solid, scoring an average of 9.8 points per game. Jimerson is the leading scorer for the team, and it’s not particularly close. the 6’5″ redshirt freshman is scoring more than 16 points per game, and is shooting lights out from deep, with a three point percentage of 40.7%.
Auburn travels to face the Saint Louis Billikens Saturday, December 18th.
Murray State
The Racers are 9-1 so far in the season, and will host Chattanooga before traveling to Auburn. They are winning their games by an average of almost 22 points, with their lone loss coming to Memphis by 8 points. They are coached by Matt McMahon, who is in his seventh year with Murray State. In that short amount of time, he has become the second-winningest coach in school history, leading them to 75 wins. He has won at least a share of the Ohio Valley Conference four times, three outright, along with two OVC tournament wins.
Players to watch for: #0, Forward KJ Williams and #10, Guard Tevin Brown.
Tevin Brown is the second-leading scorer for Murray State. The 6’5″ junior from Fairhope averages the most minutes on the team, and scores an average of 17.5 points per game. He is also a prolific three point shooter, hitting 43% of his long range shots. KJ Williams is a dominant and imposing force inside. The 6’10” Junior weighs 245 pounds, and uses that frame to his advantage. He scores 17.6 points per game, and grabs 7.2 boards per contest. He also shoots very well from three-point range, for an average of 35%.
Auburn will host Murray State Wednesday, December 22.
