Auburn gives update on starting point guard Zep Jasper

Zep Jasper started each of Auburn’s first 22 games this season at point guard. But on Saturday, Jasper was not on the court due to a non-COVID related illness.

Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl said, via al.com’s Tom Green, that Jasper is questionable for Tuesday’s game on the road against Arkansas.

“Zep was feeling better, and if can go, he’ll go,” Pearl said, via Green.

Auburn didn’t have much time prior to Saturday’s game to prepare for Jasper’s absence. In his place, Preston Cook and Wendell Green Jr. saw more time. Pearl thought that Cook played well given the circumstances.

“We didn’t have very much lead time,” Pearl said, via Green. “I thought Preston did a really good job and was prepared.”

Cook only played four minutes, but they came early on. He recorded one assist. Green started in place of Jasper, and he played a huge role against Georgia on Saturday. Green played 36 minutes, scoring 19 points including the game-winner just before the final buzzer.

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.

Jasper is in his first year at Auburn

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.

With Auburn this year, Jasper has started every game that he’s suited up in. He is averaging 23.1 minutes per game, scoring 5.0 points per game with 2.5 assists and 1.3 rebounds. 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.

Auburn tips off at Arkansas at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday night before returning home to face Texas A&M on Saturday.