BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Turns out all the statistics and analytical data telling us how good Auburn’s offense is was accurate.
Purdue basketball can attest to it after a 40-minute firsthand account.
The Boilermakers ran into another SEC buzzsaw on a neutral court for the second straight Saturday.
This time, though, Purdue had no counter against a quicker and more athletic Tigers squad and its National Player of the Year candidate Johni Broome, who led No. 2 Auburn to a 87-69 victory at Legacy Arena.
Purdue is now 1-3 in December, the lone victory at home against Maryland, since winning the Rady Children’s Invitational in San Diego.
Purdue basketball turning point
Fletcher Loyer’s three-point play with 12:36 to go in the first half tied the score at 15.
The Boilermakers scored just 11 points the rest of the half, three of those on CJ Cox’s buzzer-beating 3 that marked the first Purdue points by anyone not named Loyer, Trey Kaufman-Renn or Braden Smith.
By halftime, Purdue trailed by 15 points. Nobody in the country has the firepower to outscore Auburn by 15 in a 20-minute span.
Purdue’s lack of depth
Matt Painter was asked after the Texas A&M loss if depth was a concern.
Painter wouldn’t admit it, but it’s apparent.
Purdue played nine players in the first eight minutes Saturday, but playing and producing are two different things. Outside of Loyer, Kaufman-Renn and Smith, the Boilermakers have lacked consistent production from anyone on the roster.
3 stars
Johni Broome, Auburn: There was a question if Broome would even attempt to play after being injured against Georgia State in Auburn’s last game. Not only did Broome play, he dominated, finishing with 23 points and 11 rebounds.
Chad Baker-Mazara, Auburn: The senior from the Dominican Republic provided a little of everything for the Tigers. His final stat line? Eight points, six assists, four steals and two blocks.
Denver Jones, Auburn: Jones hit two early 3s that ignited the mostly pro-Auburn crowd of 15,000-plus. They don’t seem big in the grand scheme of how the game played out, but at the second media timeout, they were pivotal in Auburn being ahead 17-15. Jones finished with 15 points.
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.
