Bruce Pearl of Auburn says his top worry going into the game against Mississippi State and the rest of the SEC

AUBURN, AL – DECEMBER 22: K.D. Johnson (0) of Auburn wins the game at Neville Arena on Friday, December 22, 2023, between the Auburn Tigers and the Alabama State Hornets. Auburn Tigers/Jamie Holt photoAuburn Tigers/Jamie Holt

For just the sixth time this season, the eighth-ranked Auburn Tigers were outrebounded as Alabama recorded 46 rebounds to Auburn’s 41 in Wednesday night’s game that snapped their winning streak.

However, Auburn’s out-rebounding of Alabama wasn’t the main reason the Tigers lost the game. This season, Auburn has defeated opponents despite being outrebounded five times. Rather, the difference came from the way they were out-rebounded at Alabama.