The Auburn Tigers basketball team gears up for their next matchup against the Chattanooga Mocs in Atlanta, Georgia, as part of Holiday Hoopsgiving. This game marks the Tigers’ first appearance on the court since their disappointing 97-68 defeat to the No. 2 Arizona Wildcats last week.
In the loss against Arizona, the Tigers faced significant challenges, particularly against the Wildcats’ imposing frontcourt, which resulted in a stark 60-24 disadvantage in points scored in the paint. Tahaad Pettiford stood out during the game, scoring 30 points, but the rest of the team struggled, including Keyshawn Hall, who only managed 13 points on 3 of 11 shooting. Despite this setback, Auburn remains ranked at No. 24 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, although they slipped to No. 21 in the AP Poll.
Chattanooga enters this game with a record of 5-5. The Mocs have shown offensive prowess, scoring over 100 points in two of their past four games, including a recent victory over Oakwood, where they triumphed 103-46. Leading the charge for Chattanooga is guard Jordan Frison, who averages 12.8 points per game and boasts an impressive 50% shooting rate from beyond the arc. The Mocs are coached by Dan Earl, who has led them to 29 wins and an NIT Championship last season.
The Tigers are statistically favored to win against Chattanooga, with the ESPN Matchup Predictor giving Auburn a 95.9% chance of victory. Historically, Auburn has bounced back effectively after losses, having previously secured decisive victories after setbacks against teams like Houston and Michigan.
Auburn and Chattanooga last faced off on December 30, 2023, where the Tigers claimed a convincing 101-66 victory, with Jaylin Williams leading the scoring with 21 points. The teams are set to tip-off at 3:30 p.m. CT, with the game aired on the SEC Network. This matchup presents an opportunity for the Tigers to regroup and secure a decisive win, enhancing their momentum as the season progresses.