Auburn Tigers vs Monmouth Hawks Picks and Predictions December 30th 2024

No. 2 Auburn Not Taking Monmouth Lightly

Auburn coach Bruce Pearl is urging caution as his Tigers prepare to host Monmouth on Monday night in their final nonconference game before diving into Southeastern Conference play.

Auburn Eyes Momentum Heading Into SEC Play

The Tigers (11-1) are riding a four-game winning streak since their lone loss to Duke on Dec. 4. With SEC competition looming, starting with Missouri on Jan. 4, Pearl is emphasizing focus against a Monmouth team that, despite its 2-10 record, has shown potential with a win at Seton Hall on Nov. 30.

“King Rice’s team has played a really tough schedule and played only one home game,” Pearl said. “They have a great, great player in (Abdi Bashir Jr.). He’s long, he can shoot it, and they play an attractive style. Their record goes out the door.”

Broome Leading the Charge for Auburn

Auburn’s success has been driven by forward Johni Broome, who has been dominant on both ends of the court. Broome leads the Tigers in scoring (18.5 points per game), rebounds (11.5), assists (3.3), and blocks (2.6). He overcame a right shoulder scare to post 23 points and 11 rebounds in Auburn’s 87-69 win over then-No. 16 Purdue on Dec. 21, their fourth victory over a ranked opponent this season.

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With over a week of rest since their last game, Broome is expected to be at full strength as Auburn looks to maintain its momentum.

Supporting Cast Stepping Up

Alongside Broome, Auburn has benefited from strong guard play. Chad Baker-Mazara is averaging 12.8 points per game, while Tahaad Pettiford and Denver Jones contribute 11.3 points per game each. This balanced attack has made Auburn a formidable opponent as they prepare for the grueling SEC schedule.

Monmouth’s Bashir Jr. Poses a Threat

Monmouth’s Abdi Bashir Jr. ranks among the top 10 scorers in the nation with 21.6 points per game. His ability to score efficiently, shooting 42.9 percent from 3-point range and 42.0 percent from the field, has kept the Hawks competitive against tough opponents like Michigan State, Rutgers, and Temple.

Bashir is supported by Madison Durr (10.3 points per game) and solid rebounders Jaret Valencia (6.0) and Jack Collins (5.3), who also provide scoring depth.

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Defensive Woes a Concern for Monmouth

Despite their offensive capabilities, Monmouth has struggled defensively. The Hawks have allowed more than 70 points in all but one game this season, including a 63-51 win over Seton Hall. Coach King Rice has highlighted defense as an area needing improvement.

“We have kids who can score the ball,” Rice said. “But right now, our defense is one of the worst in the country because we’re not committed to guarding for each other.”

Outlook

Auburn enters as the clear favorite, but Pearl’s warning about complacency underscores the importance of staying sharp before conference play. With Broome leading the way and Monmouth relying heavily on Bashir Jr., this matchup provides both teams a final opportunity to fine-tune their games for the challenges ahead.

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