A FEW THINGS ABOUT PURDUE

• Purdue has lost three of its last four games and travels to Birmingham in the rare situation of being an underdog.

But his schedule is the important context here. Auburn is the fifth-ranked opponent Purdue has faced in the non-conference regular season, a school record. And this is the second time this season that the Boilermakers will face the second-place team. Last month it beat Alabama at Mackey Arena.

• This is the start of a neutral site doubleheader as Auburn will be Purdue’s Indy Classic opponent at Gainbridge Fieldhouse next season.

ABOUT THIS GAME

• Auburn star and first frontrunner for Player of the Year Johni Broome He injured his shoulder during Auburn’s dogwalking of Ohio State and is officially questionable to play, but considering Auburn’s SEC and national title hopes, his already stellar resume and, let’s face it, Broome’s pro future, it would be for It certainly makes sense for Auburn to move him. It’s a big man out.

The 6-foot-10, 240-pound Broome is averaging 18.5 points and 11.1 rebounds.

• Auburn has the best record in the country, with wins over Houston, Iowa State, North Carolina and Memphis and a 91-53 victory over Ohio State. The only loss came in a real road game at Duke.

• According to KenPom, Auburn ranks No. 1 in the nation in offensive efficiency, fueled by Broome’s effective shooting percentage of 59.4 percent (sixth nationally) and an effective field goal defense that ranks 15th nationally and includes Broome .

The Tigers are typical Bruce Pearl teams: athletic, long, fast and deep.

They don’t force high-volume turnovers – the common denominator of those Purdue has struggled with – but rank 15th nationally in overall defensive efficiency. Opponents are shooting less than 43 percent on two-point shots and are having 16.5 percent of their shots blocked. Broome plays a big role here too. He averages almost three blocks per appearance.

• Broome is one of six Tigers to average double figures.

wing Chad Baker Mazara is averaging 13 and shooting 39 percent from three. As a team, Auburn is shooting 38 percent from long range, with three different long-range shooters dominating at 43 percent or better.

• Auburn averages fewer than nine turnovers per game.

THREE KEYS TO PURDUE

Assuming Broome doesn’t play, Auburn has one big piece down the stretch, but there are plenty of others. Make no mistake here: Purdue is a really, really good team but has proven to be vulnerable.