Auburn Basketball Faces Ole Miss with Chad Baker-Mazara Questionable

Image credits: Caleb Jones

Auburn basketball starter Chad Baker-Mazara is listed as questionable for the Tigers' upcoming game against Ole Miss, according to the Southeastern Conference availability report. The reason for his status is unclear, but Auburn coach Bruce Pearl mentioned earlier that Baker-Mazara was "banged up" during the week of the team's win over Alabama. Despite briefly falling out of the starting lineup, Baker-Mazara has yet to miss a game this season and is averaging 12.4 points per game, trailing only All-American center Johni Broome for the team lead.

The Tigers are looking to sweep the Rebels and maintain their two-game lead in the SEC season. In their previous meeting, Auburn defeated Ole Miss 92-82, with Johni Broome and Dylan Cardwell posting double-doubles. The team made 14 3-pointers in that game, shooting 50 percent from long range, a percentage that coach Pearl would love to see duplicated in the rematch. Consistency will be key for the Tigers, who have been in a shooting slump in their last two home games, shooting just .416 from the floor, including 10 of 46 from 3-point range.

Ole Miss guard Matthew Murrell is also listed as questionable for the game, after playing just 12 minutes in the Rebels' loss to Vanderbilt on Saturday. Murrell is the Rebels' second-leading scorer, averaging 11 points per game. The Tigers will need to be prepared to face a tough opponent, with coach Pearl praising his team's in-state players, forward Chaney Johnson and guard Denver Jones, who have been instrumental in the team's success. The game is scheduled to tip off at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN2, with the Tigers looking to secure their second consecutive series sweep.

The matchup between Auburn and Ole Miss will feature two of the top teams in the SEC, with the Tigers looking to maintain their lead and the Rebels seeking to upset the top-ranked team. The game will be a challenge for both teams, with coach Pearl acknowledging that there is a tremendous amount on the line for both clubs. The Tigers will need to be focused and play to their strengths, including their defense, which has been a key factor in their success this season. Here are the match scores and player statistics for the previous meeting between the two teams:

• Auburn 92, Ole Miss 82
• Johni Broome: 20 points, 12 rebounds
• Dylan Cardwell: 10 points, 13 rebounds
• Matthew Murrell: 11 points per game (average)
• Chad Baker-Mazara: 12.4 points per game (average)

The game between Auburn and Ole Miss promises to be an exciting matchup, with both teams looking to come out on top. The Tigers will need to be prepared to face a tough opponent and play to their strengths in order to secure the win. With the SEC season heating up, this game will be a crucial test for both teams, and the outcome will have a significant impact on the conference standings.