Bruce Pearl talks No. 2 Auburn prepping for guard-oriented Ohio State in Atlanta

AUBURN -- A week of finals has provided Auburn basketball a bit of a breather after a busy time playing at the Maui Invitational, and then returning home only to hit the road again at Duke. Following an early-morning game at home against Richmond, Auburn has the entire week off before playing Ohio State in Atlanta on Saturday. The game will tip at 12 pm CT. The players are going through finals this week, meaning some 1-hour shorter practices in the process. "We think we're in good shape academically getting through finals and letting the guys kind of work hard to finish up what they started," Bruce Pearl said on Thursday. Johni Broome and Chaney Johnson are expected to graduate on Saturday. Auburn enters the game No. 2 in the AP poll, and No. 1 in both KenPom and the NCAA NET ratings. KenPom No. 29 Ohio State presents another set of challenges. Led by guards Bruce Thornton, John Mobley Jr. and South Carolina transfer Meechie Johnson Jr., the Buckeyes will be guard-oriented. Denver Jones said their guards were, "the head of the snake," with Pearl adding the Tigers will have to extend their defense on the perimeter to account for that. More inside.