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Auburn vs Baylor: 2023-24 College basketball game preview, TV … – Busting Brackets
Mar 19, 2023; Denver, CO, USA; Baylor Bears forward Jalen Bridges (11) celebrates after dunking with forward Josh Ojianwuna (15) in the first half against the Creighton Bluejays at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael Ciaglo-USA TODAY Sports
A much stronger program in recent years, Auburn looks to keep that momentum going this season. While it’s just the second time in the last six years that the Tigers are unranked to start the season, Bruce Pearl’s squad looks like a potential contender in the SEC and hopes for a third straight trip to the Big Dance.
With major changes to the backcourt in the offseason, much of the attention will be on a very talented frontcourt that features Jaylin Williams, who averaged double figures last season, and Johni Broome, a great shot blocker who’s now a senior. New guard Denver Jones averaged more than 20 points a game at Florida International last season while K. D. Johnson returns as a veteran presence in the backcourt.
Though unranked by the national polls, Auburn sits at an impressive 15th in the initial KenPom rankings. Compared to last season, these Tigers should be stronger and have better offensive weapons all over the ball. There’s no question that their road in the SEC won’t be easy, but the combination of Broome and Williams at the back end is a scary duo, almost matching what they had a few seasons ago.
On the other side, we’re looking at a Baylor team now three years removed from their national championship, but Scott Drew just keeps building great teams. Their three dynamic guards from last season are all gone, though the Bears added a slew of talent in the offseason and look to compete near the very top of the Big 12 yet again.
The Bears added RayJ Dennis, Toledo’s star point guard, and also introduced former VCU guard Jayden Nunn, completely reworking the backcourt. Drew is also excited for freshman Ja’Kobe Walter, helping to solidify a frontcourt that’ll hopefully get a full and healthy year out of both Jalen Bridges and Jonathan Tchamwa-Tchachoua.
Baylor enters play at #20 in the AP Top 25, but KenPom has them 7th in the preseason rankings. Obviously, replacing three very talented guards is a difficult task for any team, but Dennis in particular has been a star and looks very capable, even in the Big 12. Things will be very different and how this team adjusts and grows together will be important, but they have the talent for another impressive season.
For both teams, major changes have happened in the backcourt, and it’ll be interesting to see how all these new guards mesh in their respective systems. These teams both lean on returning faces and veteran talent at the back end, and the battles between Broome and this Baylor front could be one of the highlights of the game. This neutral-site contest in South Dakota will honestly be an exciting opening test and transition for both squads.
Despite whatever the rankings say or the prognosticators think, these are two extremely even-matched teams and it’s truly anyone’s game. We’re going to lean ever so slightly towards the Bears, expecting those new pieces in the backcourt will fit better in their first outing than the Tigers, though this matchup could go either way. Expect a big game from Broome but a bigger impact from Bridges and company.
Prediction: Baylor 71, Auburn 69
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