After a 10-day break, the Auburn basketball team will play its third game in eight days when the Tigers host Alabama A&M at 1 p.m. today.
For most teams, three games in just more than a week would be fine, especially after a long layoff.
But Auburn isn’t most teams. Not this year.
Sure, today’s game in Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum, which will be broadcast live on CSS (Channel 27 in Lee County) against SWAC member Alabama State (3-5), shouldn’t be too much of a test for the more-talented Tigers (6-2). But, with only seven available scholarship players, depth will become more of an issue for Auburn as the season gets longer and the games get closer.
Auburn is without its leading scorer from last year Josh Dollard, who is redshirting this season, sitting out for medical reasons.
AU head coach Jeff Lebo received that news a week before the season started. He could at least prepare his team to play without the 6-foot-7 junior.
But now, Auburn is playing without 7-foot-1 center Boubacar Sylla (ankle) and 6-6 sophomore Lucas Hargrove (hand) for at least another month. Then, Thursday, Lebo received news that senior guard Archie Miaway would be academically ineligible.
Miaway, a 6-4 shooter, who will still practice with the team, but will be unable to play, would have provided the Tigers with much-needed depth at the guard slot, where already, guards Quantez Robertson and DeWayne Reed have played multiple 40-minute games.
Robertson, Auburn’s 6-3 junior, leads the SEC with 37.4 minutes played per game. Reed is third in the conference, averaging 34.8 minutes per contest.
Despite that, however, Auburn has won six out of its last seven games.
“We have found ways to win,” Lebo said. “That has been the best thing. We have competed.
“With our lack of depth, we have found ways. These kids have been iron men.”
The lack of depth, however, hasn’t stopped the Tigers from making baskets.
Currently, Auburn is 10th in the nation in field goal percentage (50.1).
A lot of that has to do with junior Korvotney Barber. The 6-7 forward, who is averaging 14.3 points per game, is making 73.9 percent of his shots, which leads the nation.
Today against Alabama A&M, Barber and 6-8 forward Quan Prowell (13.7 ppg) will have to be on their game in the post against the Bulldogs’ 6-11 center Mickell Gladness.
Gladness is second in the nation in blocked shots, averaging a staggering 5.8 per game. He’s also scoring 7.8 points and 8.6 rebounds a contest.
Leading the Bulldogs in scoring is 6-3 junior guard Evan Hilton at 13.5 points a game. Hilton is making 39 percent of his 3-pointers as well.
“It will be a big game for Alabama A&M coming in here,” Lebo said. “I know they will play well.”
Tickets for today’s game are $5 each.

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Alabama A&M vs. Auburn
Where: Beard-Eaves Memorial
When: 1 p.m.
TV/Radio: CSS (Channel 27)/97.7 FM
Records: Alabama A&M 3-5; Auburn 6-2
Scouting report: Auburn will play its third game in eight days today. The Tigers found out Thursday it will be one more player short this season, with senior guard Archie Miaway being declared academically ineligible. Currently, Auburn only has seven scholarship players on the roster. Alabama A&M poses a defensive threat inside, with 6-foot-11 center Mickell Gladness, who is second in the nation, averaging 5.8 blocks per game.
Projected starters, Alabama A&M: F Jonathan Belt, 6-6 So. (7.4 points, 4.0 rebounds); F Kudus Ogbara, 6-5 Jr. (1.1 points, 1.9 rebounds); C Mickell Gladness, 6-11, Sr. (7.8 points, 5.8 blocks); G Trant Simpson, 5-10 So. (9.9 points, 3.9 assists); G Evan Hilton, 6-3 Jr. (13.5 points, 6.0 rebounds)
Projected starters, Auburn: F Korvotney Barber, 6-7 Jr. (14.3, 7.8 rebounds); G Frank Tolbert, 6-4, Sr. (9.6 points, 2.4 assists); G DeWayne Reed, 6-1 So. (10.1 points, 3.4 assists); G Rasheem Barrett, 6-5 Jr. (14.0 points, 4.8 rebounds); G Quantez Robertson, 6-3 Jr. (8.0 points, 4.5 assists)