Auburn spotted Presbyterian a 21-point lead before waking up and making things interesting Saturday night.
But the end result was the same as four other nights this season: a Tigers loss, on their home court, to a team from a minor conference.
Auburn hopes to put the brakes on that trend — and its current three-game losing streak — against Atlantic Sun team USC Upstate tonight at 7 p.m.
“It will be another good challenge for us,” Tigers coach Tony Barbee said. “We will see if we can take a step forward defensively.”
Auburn took a couple of steps forward in losses to Rutgers and South Florida, limiting the two Big East teams to a combined 37.8 percent shooting.
Then the Tigers took a huge step back against the Blue Hose on Saturday, allowing a 60.5 field-goal percentage against, including a 10-of-20 mark from beyond the arc.
The Spartans have made the rounds this season, losing to major-conference foes Michigan, N.C. State, South Carolina and Virginia.
They’ve also played two common opponents with Auburn, beating UNC Asheville (which the Tigers lost to in overtime) in double overtime and losing to Campbell, to which Auburn also lost.
USC Upstate is led by 6-foot-5 freshman guard Torrey Craig, who is averaging 11.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game this season.
“He is an all-kind-of-stat guy. He is very athletic,” Barbee said. “He can shoot 3s as well as put it on the floor and drive it. He gets to the free-throw line as well.”
USC Upstate (2-8) at Auburn (3-7)
Where: Auburn Arena
When: 7 p.m.
Radio/TV: WKKR (97.7 FM)/No TV
Projected Starters, USC Upstate: F Mezie Uzochukwu, 6-5, Sr. (5.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.3 apg); F Torrey Craig, 6-5, Fr. (11.7 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 0.8 apg); F Babatunde Olumuyiwa, 6-7, Fr. (7.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.4 bpg); G Josh Chavis, 5-9, Sr. (5.9 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 2.5 apg); G Tony Dukes, 6-2, So. (6.6 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 1.1 apg)
Projected starters, Auburn: F Rob Chubb, 6-10, So. (8.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 0.8 bpg); G Josh Langford, 6-7, Fr. (4.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 0.5 bpg); G Andre Malone, 6-5, So. (12.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 0.9 apg); G Tony Neysmith, 6-5, Jr. (2.9 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 1.9 apg); G Earnest Ross, 6-5, Jr. (11.4 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.2 apg)