AUBURN | Chaney Johnson will receive starting minutes but has yet to start a game for No. 1 Auburn this season.

That could certainly change Tuesday night against No. 15 Mississippi State.

With American Johni Broome out with an ankle injury, the Tigers will turn to Johnson to fill that big gap.

“Make sure I do everything I need to do to be the best I can be,” Johnson said of his preparation. “I would just say I’m going to be more physical, more confident and smarter in some of the decisions I make on the court.

“I can’t commit stupid fouls and be overly physical. I have to play a lot smarter than before.”

Johnson has averaged 10.1 points and 5.3 rebounds off the bench this season. He is shooting .602 from the floor and is third on the team with 14 blocks. He played a key role in AU going 15-1 overall and 3-0 in the SEC.

“The sky is the limit for someone like Chaney — who can guard one through five, who can dribble the ball coast-to-coast, who can pass, shoot fadeaways and make tough shots,” center Dylan Cardwell said.

“There’s nothing this guy can’t do on the field. And I feel like he’s going to make the most of this opportunity that the Lord has given him.”

Bruce Pearl, who became Auburn’s all-time winningest coach last week, doesn’t expect Chaney to make up the difference for Broome’s lost performance.

He expects more production from AU’s guards and a few more players off the bench in Chris Moore or Ja’Heim Hudson.

“I think everyone has a chance. We have enough talent to let everyone do a little more. I think this is the best way to deal with his loss,” Pearl said.

The Bulldogs enter the contest at 14-2 overall and 2-1 in the SEC. They opened conference play with a home win over South Carolina and a road win over Vanderbilt before losing 95-90 at home to No. 6 Kentucky Saturday night.

Sophomore guard Josh Hubbard leads MSU with an average of 17.0 points per game and is second in the SEC with 50 3-pointers made. Fellow guard Claudell Harris Jr. is averaging 11.2 points and has made 40 three-pointers, and center KeShawn Murphy is averaging 9.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.

“What I think sets this team apart from last year’s team is that they’re just dynamic offensively,” Pearl said. “They shoot the 3-ball really well. I think Chris Jans has always been recognized as a great defensive coach. Obviously his teams play hard, physical and tough. They are a great offensive rebounding team.

“But this year this could be one of his best offensive teams. They really shoot. They manage things that are difficult to guard. Mississippi State, they’re going to finish at the top of our league.

Kickoff at Neville Arena is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT on SEC Network.