Tennessee @ Auburn preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 17, 2019 ) Auburn 84, Tennessee 64

No. 12 Auburn did not fare well in the first two games without injured freshman star Isaac Okoro and hopes to change that trend while remaining unbeaten at home when Tennessee visits for an SEC matchup Saturday afternoon. Okoro (hamstring) was not in the lineup as the Tigers lost at Missouri and Georgia by a combined 22 points last week, but is riding a 17-game winning streak at home - 14-0 in 2019-20.

Okoro, who averages 13.1 points on 51.4 percent shooting from the field, does not have a timetable for return and coach Bruce Pearl said the 6-6 forward will not be back in the starting five until he goes through a full practice healthy for Auburn - winners of all three meetings with Tennessee last season. “We've got five games left. We're 22-4," Pearl told reporters. "We’ve got to find a way to win without Isaac, and win with him when he gets back. And see if we can capitalize on all that we’ve done to put ourselves in such a good position.” The Volunteers have won three of five contests since a three-game losing streak to keep postseason hopes alive after holding on for a 65-61 victory over state rival Vanderbilt last Tuesday. “We can’t make the mistakes we made in the last few games,” Tennessee coach Rick Barnes told reporters. “. … I can tell you we’ve been through a lot with this team. I mean, a lot of different scenarios. But now, forget it. We’ve proven that we can compete with any team. Now it’s about this group of guys. And we’re probably as healthy as we’ve been all year long right now.”

TIME: Noon ET. TV: CBS

ABOUT TENNESSEE (15-11, 7-6 SEC): Junior John Fulkerson is averaging 18.8 points over the past five contests after scoring 17 versus Vanderbilt, and the 6-9 forward leads the team in rebounds per game (6.2). Fulkerson has scored two points fewer than senior guard Jordan Bowden (13.0 per game) in 26 games this season and freshman guard Santiago Vescovi (11.4) drained 11 shots from long range while averaging 14.8 points over the past four contests. Freshman guard Josiah-Jordan James (7.5 points, 2.9 assists) did not score against Vanderbilt in his second game back from missing four due to injury.

ABOUT AUBURN (22-4, 9-4): Freshmen Allen Flanigan, Devan Cambridge and Jaylin Williams - three of the players trying to fill in for Okoro - went 2-for-18 from the field and combined for 10 points over the last two contests. “It’s just showing us that we need to step up as a whole without him,” senior point guard J’Von McCormick (12.2 points, team-high 4.5 assists) told reporters, “because he plays a big part offensively and defensively.” Senior guard Samir Doughty leads the team in scoring (16.0), but was 8-for-25 from the field the last two games and 1-for-12 from behind the 3-point arc the last three outings.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Tennessee G/F Yves Pons averages 11.1 points and an SEC-best 2.5 blocks, including at least one in every game this season.

2. Auburn senior C Austin Wiley is second in the league in rebounding (9.4) and is averaging 12.3 over the last four contests.

3. The Volunteers lead the league in assists per game (14.9) and assist-turnover ratio (1.10).

PREDICTION: Auburn 76, Tennessee 64