Even with star 6-10 F Johni Broome (17.9 ppg; 10.7 rpg; ankle) out until further notice, Auburn remains formidable. Though if Bruce Pearl wants to win a national title with this current Tigers edition, Broome needs to return at some point. Minus Broome, matchups like tonight vs. MSU become even more challenging. Chris Jans has a tough-minded backcourt paced by Gs Josh Hubbard (17 ppg) and BC transfer Claudell Harris Jr, who spearhead an 84 ppg offense. A legit post scoring threat like 6-10 KeShawn Murphy allows the Bulldogs to effectively spread the floor in halfcourt sets as well. MSU has had enough quality efforts to suggest it can chase this scoreline much as that high-scoring loss to sixth-ranked Kentucky on Saturday. Play MSU

The absence of Auburn’s injured Johni Broome, a frontrunner for national player of the year, will be felt more on rebounds than scoring. The Tigers can replace much of his 18 points per game but will be pressed to match his 11 rebounds per. Mississippi State is 3-0 straight-up in true roadies and has the statistical evidence to cope with a rowdy Tigers crowd: tied for sixth nationally in fewest turnovers and tied for fifth in steals per game. Auburn last covered against the Bulldogs four meetings ago. The scratch of Broome dropped the line a few points at some sportsbooks, but it remains sizable enough to offer appeal to the underdog ‘Dogs.