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The Auburn Tigers will be without big man Austin Wiley in their match-up with the Kentucky Wildcats today. That could end up being a big loss for the Tigers. Although they are a guard-driven team, Wiley is a beast in the post and has the ability to have a major impact on any game.
Austin Wiley is OUT for Auburn vs. Kentucky and is expected to miss the next couple of weeks with a lower leg injury, per a team spokesperson.
— Justin Ferguson (@JFergusonAU) January 19, 2019
Wiley is averaging about 11 points and six rebounds per game, leading Auburn on the glass. The 6’11” center also poses major problems defensively, and his absence could be great news for Reid Travis, who has struggled getting shots off against bigger, athletic defenders.
Auburn averages 40 rebounds per game to Kentucky’s 38, so the lack of Wiley’s presence will definitely be felt in the rebounding margin.
Wiley missed all of the 2017-2018 due to eligibility issues, but was expected to be one of the more dominant guys in the paint from the 2017 class. His play has picked up as expected, and his production has greatly benefited from playing with one of the more experienced and talented guard tandems in the SEC.
Will Wiley’s absence make a difference in today’s game? Tip-off is at 4 p.m.