The Auburn Tigers are ready to face the Houston Cougars on Sunday at Legacy Arena in Birmingham.

The No. 25 Auburn Tigers (3-0) will face its first true test of the season when they battle No. 2 Houston (3-0) in Birmingham as part of the Battleground 2K25 event at Legacy Arena. Last season in Houston, Auburn downed the Cougars, 74-69, behind a breakout performance by then-freshman Tahaad Pettiford, who scored 21 points and secured three rebounds off the bench.

Auburn enters the game by averaging 94.3 points per game, but head coach Steven Pearl is anticipating a challenge from Houston’s defense on Sunday.

“Over the last 10 years, they’ve been the best defensive team in college basketball,” Pearl said of Houston. “They disrupt everything you do offensively. They disrupt you timing. They continuously have guards that are such great on-ball defenders. They make your life really difficult.”

Follow along for live updates of No. 25 Auburn’s battle with No. 2 Houston in Birmingham.

Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!Auburn trails by two at first media timeout (Houston 7 Auburn 5, 15:48 1st half)

Each team traded buckets to start the game, with Keyshawn Hall putting Auburn on the board first with 19:23 to go in the half. Tahaad Pettiford put Auburn ahead with a three-pointer at the 18:26 mark, but the Cougars went on a 4-0 run to take it to the first timeout. Auburn is shooting 20% (2-of-10), and is on a 2:38 scoring drought at the first timeout. Houston owns the rebound battle, 9-7.

Keshawn Murphy back in the lineup for Auburn

Mississippi State transfer forward Keshawn Murphy is back in the lineup for Auburn after missing the last two games due to injury. In Auburn’s win over Bethune-Cookman earlier this month, he scored 17 points and hauled in eight rebounds.

Auburn’s starters:

Tahaad PettifordKevin OvertonElyjah FreemanKeyshawn HallKeShawn MurphyThe Tigers are on the floor

Auburn and Houston are going through warmups ahead of Sunday’s game. Tipoff coming in just over 30 minutes from Legacy Arena in Birmingham.

What channel is Auburn basketball vs. Houston on today?TV Channel: ESPNLivestream: Fubo (free trial)

Auburn-Houston will broadcast live on ESPN on Sunday, Nov. 16. Kevin Brown and Fran Fraschilla will call the game courtside at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.

Auburn vs. Houston time todayDate: Sunday, Nov. 16Start time: 2 p.m. CT

The Auburn-Houston game starts at 2 p.m. CT from Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.

Watch No. 25 Auburn vs. No. 2 Houston on Fubo (free trial)Auburn vs. Houston predictions

Predictions are not favoring Auburn ahead of Sunday’s contest with Houston. Houston has a 73.8% chance to beat Auburn according to ESPN, while KenPom gives Houston a 68% chance to win, with a projected score of 74-68. Houston enters the game as the No. 1 team in the KenPom, while Auburn begins the day at No. 34.

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