Auburn vs. USC: Previewing point guard matchup of Isaiah Collier, Aden Holloway

When Auburn and USC square off on Sunday, two highly touted point guards will go up against each other. Aden Holloway and Isaiah Collier highlight the matchup, which will be in The Jungle.

They’re two of the most exciting players to come out of the 2023 recruiting class — but as On3’s Joe Tipton said, they have different styles.

Collier’s numbers have been higher through nine games, averaging 17 points and 4.2 assists per game, but Holloway has the better three-point percentage while averaging 11.7 points and 3.3 assists. The biggest difference in their games comes from where they like to shoot, and Tipton said that makes the matchup even more intriguing.

“They’re very different players,” Tipton told Andy Staples on Andy Staples On3. “It’ll be interesting to see how it plays out because Aden’s a little bit smaller, but he’s a much better shooter. He can shoot the cover off the ball. He’s not afraid to let it fly, either. He fits perfectly in Coach [Bruce] Pearl’s system there at Auburn.

“And then Collier, a little bit more of a pass-first guy, but can also really score it. But loves to get downhill. Aden would love to shoot around the perimeter. He can get to the rim, shoot floaters. But that’s also going to be an interesting matchup, as well.”

How Isaiah Collier, Aden Holloway have adjusted to college basketball

Collier, a Five Star Plus+ prospect, was the nation’s top-ranked recruit last year while Holloway checked in at No. 18 overall and the No. 2-ranked combo guard, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Collier has generated some NBA Draft buzz in the early going of his career. He came in at No. 1 overall in ESPN’s Jonathan Givony’s early mock draft, and On3’s Jamie Shaw ranked him as the No. 2 draft prospect in his first rankings of the year on Dec. 4.

Holloway hasn’t generated that type of buzz early in his career, but Pearl said his struggles can be attributed to teams learning his game. That’s why the goal to bounce back will be to look at the film and adjust to the defenses he’s facing.

“When I’m coaching my players, I know what they are really good at,” Pearl said, via Auburn Live’s Justin Hokanson. “Let’s say the first time the world saw Aden in a college basketball was at Baylor. He shot the ball well. He did some things in that game, he can really shoot it. Well, the opponents have seen that and are doing some things defensively — and then as as result, we have to work harder to get him those shots, or he has to do other things to take advantage of how the defenses are guarding him.”