($1 to J Ferguson, AU Observer on this data point)
Both of these teams are very good, the rankings tell that story.
But Auburn is at least based on KenPom analytics more battle prepared by a decent margin. The Tahd hasn't played a current Top 10 KenPom team since November. bammer's 74-64 home loss to KenPom 20th ranked Ole Miss on January 14th is the head scratcher.
Auburn has played FOUR KenPom top 10's (and as a result, been honed and prepared by it) Duke (close "L), Tenn (W), Purdue (blowout W), and Florida (L). Bama did of course play 18th KenPom Kentucky (impressive road win, 102-97), 13th ranked Texas A&M (road W 94-88), and lost @ Purdue early season, 87-78.
Bluntly, this Oats team has not remotely played a team as complete nor highly ranked KenPom as Auburn. It doesn't mean they won't beat Auburn tomorrow, but it would mean their scoring and efficiency on key metrics has been "real", as opposed to slightly inflated by quality of opponents.
Even if our Tigers should fall tomorrow (I like AU 88-87 on a Pettiford logo 3 buzzer beater to win it), bammer "on paper" has a tougher road to the March 8th finale' in the Neville. The Tahd will have FOUR KenPom Top 10 matchups its final 7 games in No. 1 Auburn tomorrow, No. 5 Tenn, No. 4 Florida, and again, No. 1 Auburn on March 8th.
Auburn gets three straight home games after tomorrow, leading up to road trips to Kentucky and aTm before the final March 8th home game vs bammer.
Both of these teams are very good, the rankings tell that story.
But Auburn is at least based on KenPom analytics more battle prepared by a decent margin. The Tahd hasn't played a current Top 10 KenPom team since November. bammer's 74-64 home loss to KenPom 20th ranked Ole Miss on January 14th is the head scratcher.
Auburn has played FOUR KenPom top 10's (and as a result, been honed and prepared by it) Duke (close "L), Tenn (W), Purdue (blowout W), and Florida (L). Bama did of course play 18th KenPom Kentucky (impressive road win, 102-97), 13th ranked Texas A&M (road W 94-88), and lost @ Purdue early season, 87-78.
Bluntly, this Oats team has not remotely played a team as complete nor highly ranked KenPom as Auburn. It doesn't mean they won't beat Auburn tomorrow, but it would mean their scoring and efficiency on key metrics has been "real", as opposed to slightly inflated by quality of opponents.
Even if our Tigers should fall tomorrow (I like AU 88-87 on a Pettiford logo 3 buzzer beater to win it), bammer "on paper" has a tougher road to the March 8th finale' in the Neville. The Tahd will have FOUR KenPom Top 10 matchups its final 7 games in No. 1 Auburn tomorrow, No. 5 Tenn, No. 4 Florida, and again, No. 1 Auburn on March 8th.
Auburn gets three straight home games after tomorrow, leading up to road trips to Kentucky and aTm before the final March 8th home game vs bammer.
