Auburn basketball rules out key player ahead Arkansas matchup

The Auburn basketball has ruled out Zep Jasper for Tuesday night’s matchup against the Arkansas Razorbacks, per Auburn Live. The Tigers’ starting point guard, Jasper was previously considered questionable for the contest.

The senior transfer sat out his first game of the season Saturday with a non-COVID illness as Auburn escaped Georgia with a 74-72 victory. He has started every game he has played in this season, averaging five points and 2.5 assists in 23.1 minutes per game. He is averaging less than five shot attempts per game, and is shooting 34.6 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc.

Without Jasper, Auburn struggled a bit against Georgia. The Tigers led 42-30 at halftime, but the Bulldogs fought back in the second half. Georgia outscored Auburn 42-32 in the final 20 minutes, tying the game late. Auburn ultimately held on, surviving an upset bit.

Wendell Green Jr. is expected to see another start in place of Jasper. He entered the lineup against the Bulldogs and played 36 minutes, scoring 19 points and dishing out three assists.

This season is Jasper’s first with Auburn, but it is his fourth season of college basketball. The Augusta, Georgia native spent the first three years of his collegiate career at the College of Charleston. As a freshman, he averaged 5.4 points per game with 2.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists. In his sophomore year, he averaged 7.6 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1,7 assists.

Last season, his final at College of Charleston, Jasper scored 15.6 points per game with 3.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists.

The Tigers enjoyed plenty of success this season under coach Bruce Pearl. They currently sit at 22-1 on the season and No. 1 in the AP poll. Auburn basketball project as the top seed in the NCAA Tournament, and will hope to keep that success going against Arkansas.

Tip off for the game between the Tigers and Razorbacks is set for 6 p.m. CT in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

On3’s Jonathan Wagner contributed to this report.