AUBURN, Ala. – There’s nothing mid-main about Seattle U’s protection.
Auburn’s second-round NIT opponent, the Redhawks rank No. 23 in the nation in scoring protection, permitting fewer than 67 factors per sport.
“One of the better defensive teams we’ll have gone against all year,” Auburn coach Steven Pearl stated. “Incredibly active, they really fly around and make what you do really difficult.”
After defeating South Alabama 78-67 Tuesday in the opening round of the NIT, Auburn hosts Seattle U Sunday. The Redhawks superior to round two by defeating St. Thomas (MN) 67-52.
(*2*) Pearl stated.
Seattle U ranks No. 12 nationally in forcing turnovers, inflicting practically 15 per sport whereas blocking virtually 5 photographs per sport (No. 21) and holding groups to 41.5-p.c capturing (No. 42).
“They play hard and that makes your defense so much better when you give multiple efforts like that at all five positions,” Pearl stated.
Against the Jaguars’ zone protection in round one, Auburn hit a season-excessive 16 3-pointers, with Kevin Overton swishing seven.
“He knows that every time he shoots the ball, we think it’s going in,” Pearl stated. “We can’t change what we do a ton because what we do has been effective, offensively, but we also have to understand that this is a really good defensive team, and we have to be disciplined in a lot of things we’re doing.”
Like Auburn, which earned excessive-profile victories this season over Florida, Arkansas, Kentucky and St. John’s, Seattle U additionally has brag-worthy wins at Stanford and at residence in opposition to Washington, Washington State and Oregon State.
Representing the West Coast Conference, Seattle U would really like nothing higher than to finish the season for a Southeastern Conference opponent on Auburn’s residence courtroom.
“I know this is going to be an important one for them,” Pearl stated. “It’s an important one for us as well. Our guys, once we show them the film, they’re going to realize pretty quickly how real and how legit these guys are.”
Looking to prolong the nation’s longest non-convention residence win streak to 66, Auburn (18-16) hosts Seattle U (21-13) Sunday at 5:30 p.m. CT on ESPN2 and the Auburn Sports Network (106.7 FM), the place Andy Burcham and Randall Dickey will describe the motion for listeners.
“This game is an important one for both groups,” Pearl stated. “We’re going to have to play well to beat them. It’s another great opportunity to compete against a really good team from a great conference.”
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer
