BC Triumphs in NIT Finals!
Will Auburn handle business in the first round of the NIT? Here's what KenPom is saying ahead of the Tigers' date with South Alabama.
After missing out on an NCAA Tournament bid for the first time in five years, Auburn basketball gets another shot at life this season when it hosts South Alabama for the first round of the NIT on Tuesday at Neville Arena. How do the Tigers stack up against the Jaguars on Tuesday? Early odds lean heavily toward Auburn , and analytics back the claim.
KenPom gives Auburn a 95% chance to handle business and beat South Alabama on Tuesday, with an implied score of 83-65. Auburn has an advantage over South Alabama in several categories, with the most glaring being offensive efficiency. Auburn ranks No.
15 nationally in offensive efficiency according to KenPom analytics , averaging 124. 8 points per 100 possessions, which is miles ahead of South Alabama's 107. 0 rating, which ranks No.
212 nationally. Another factor is offensive rebounds, a stat that Auburn leads by grabbing 38% of its offensive boards, compared to South Alabama's 25. 2.