Isaac Okoro’s big night, other observations from Auburn’s close win over Vanderbilt
To think that this fifth-ranked Auburn basketball team is likely not a finished product is probably not too comforting for the remaining teams on the Tigers’ schedule.
Even on their off nights, they find ways to win. The Tigers (14-0, 2-0 SEC) did so Wednesday night, outlasting Vanderbilt 83-79 to remain unbeaten. This one might have been a bit too close for comfort, though.
Here are three observations from the Tigers’ narrow win over Vanderbilt:
Okoro carries the load
Isaac Okoro’s entered Wednesday’s game with a career high scoring mark of 18 points. He scored 17 in the first half and broke his previous career high by dunking on the entire state of Tennessee.
Okoro, one of the few bright spots for Auburn in a pretty ugly first 20 minutes, finished 6-of-9 and 1-of-3 from three-point range for 23 points, and added six rebounds. He also made 10-of-14 free throws.
“We don’t have five seniors,” Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said. “We have six. He plays like a senior. He knows how to defend, knows how to communicate. Not afraid of the moment. Makes big plays.
Rebounding and free throws make the difference
Auburn’s rebounding advantage and free throw shooting ultimately proved the difference between the two teams.
The Tigers out-rebounded the Commodores 39-28, including a 14-5 edge in offensive rebounding. The Commodores finished with no second-chance points (and even missed a game-tying putback inside the final minute), while Auburn finished with 23 second-chance points.
Aditionally, the Tigers shot 28-of-38 from the free throw line, and hit five free-thows inside the final 1:01.
Auburn has work to do, but a solid win nonetheless
Pearl won’t sugar coat it: This Auburn team has yet to reach its potential.
It certainly showed flashes of it Wednesday. The Tigers opened the second half on a 9-2 run and looked to have put the game away. Then Vanderbilt promptly went on a quick scoring run to cut the lead back to single digits and the Tigers didn’t adjust smoothly to the Commodores’ zone defense.
Vanderbilt has lost to several teams an SEC program should not lose to: Tulsa, Richmond and Liberty are just a few of the Commodores’ six losses.
Pearl said he was “disappointed with the way we’re shooting the basketball.” The Tigers shot 44% from the field and hit just 5-of-20 three pointers.
The Tigers face Georgia, Alabama and Florida in its next three games, three teams that can take advantage if the Tigers have an off night shooting the ball like they did against Vanderbilt.
That said, it’s hard to argue with the results.
The Tigers are still unbeaten. They survived a strong effort by a team that, despite its struggles, features several playmakers (Vanderbilt also air-ball two free throws).
But the Tigers must clean things up, and fast, because they host former No. 1 overall recruit Anthony Edwards and Georgia (which took Kentucky down to the wire on Tuesday) at 6 p.m. EST Saturday.
“I’m obviously not really happy,” Pearl said. “Because I just didn’t think we played really well. And I know we can play better. Georgia at home? At Alabama? At Florida? It’s all right. We played hard.”
NEXT GAME
- Auburn vs. Georgia
- Saturday, Jan. 11
Noon EST (moved due to impending severe weather)
- Auburn Arena in Auburn, Alabama
- TV: TBD
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This story was originally published January 9, 2020 at 6:00 AM.
