Auburn still has a lot to learn about itself and Houston is the type of team capable of teaching some lessons. The battle on the boards is an important part of any basketball game and the team that manages to come out on top often wins the game. Pearl expects that to be a deciding factor against the Cougars.

According to Justin Hokanson of Auburn Live, freshman forward Jahki Howard and transfer forward Ja'Heim Hudson were involved in an altercation during Auburn’s flight to Houston on Friday, which led to the plane being diverted back to Auburn University’s airport.