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Tuesday night will provide a rarely-seen season opener between teams trying to return to the NCAA Tournament. The Auburn Tigers (20-11; 15-16-0 ATS last season) and Baylor Bears (22-9; 16-14-1 ATS) are clashing in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. At 9:00 p.m. EDT, Sanford Pentagon will host this marquee matchup. This game could be a big way to launch the season. Who will come out on top?
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Even with an NCAA Tournament appearance, Auburn finished the regular season with a 4-9 stretch. They then got bounced in the second round of The Big Dance. Wendell Green Jr. and Allen Flanigan are the team's major losses. However, seven players that saw action last season, including Johni Broome (14.2 ppg to lead the team) and Jaylin Williams (11.2 ppg) are back in the mix. They'll lead an offense that finished 46th in KenPom's adjusted ratings a year ago. That team only shot 43.9% from the floor (31.5% from three), which are numbers that can be improved upon. So can a 69.9% clip from the free throw line. Their 72.8 points per game still managed to finish as a middle-of-the-pack number nationally. Imagine what will happen when the team's efficiency improves.
On the other end of the floor, Auburn finished last season 33rd in KenPom's adjusted ratings. They held foes to 40.7% shoot ing all season, a mark that was 31st nationally. It helped them limit opponents to 67.7 points per game. The Tigers also kept foes at 28.8% shooting on threes. Their greatest flaw was sending opposing players to the free throw line 22.1 times per game, more than any other SEC school. Regardless, forcing misses was their strength and shouldn't change under head coach Bruce Pearl. With solid rebounding too, this is a team that's tough to score on.
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