AUBURN

ESPN's LaPhonso Ellis says Auburn basketball untrustworthy due to guards, 3-point shooting

Erik Hall
Montgomery Advertiser

ESPN "College GameDay" broadcast from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on Saturday ahead of the ACC Tournament championship game between Duke and Virginia Tech. 

In the opening segment of the show, "College GameDay" host Rece Davis posed a question to college basketball analysts LaPhonso Ellis, Jay Bilas and Seth Greenberg about how many teams can win the 2022 NCAA Tournament. 

"I said to you guys several weeks ago I didn't think Auburn was one of those," Ellis said. "I looked back and did a little bit of research. Over the last seven years, the national champion has averaged around 39% from the 3-point line — and the last three over 40%. They don't shoot the three well, and they struggle with guard play. We saw that play itself out. Wendell Green hit some huge shots down the stretch (vs. Texas A&M) that helped them keep it close, but I just don't trust their backcourt. KD Johnson 0-for-14 in that game." 

"He should have stopped when he was 0-for-10," Greenberg said with an interjection.

"A great point," Ellis said. "I love their toughness and I love his speed, but he's got to use his speed and recognize when he's not making baskets to use his speed, get in the lane and kick the basketball out. He really hurt them in that game yesterday."

Mar 11, 2022; Tampa, FL, USA;Auburn Tigers guard Wendell Green Jr. (1) reacts against the Texas A&M Aggies during the second half at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Texas A&M defeated Auburn 67-62 on Friday in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals. It was Auburn's opening game of the SEC Tournament.

At the end of the opening segment, Davis said, "When you fill out your brackets — one thing if you rely on history — do not pick Auburn, do not pick Baylor, because no team has lost its first game in the conference tournament and gone on to win the national championship." 

To Ellis' point about Auburn's 3-point shooting, Auburn is 894-for-2,034 on its 3-point shots this season, and that is 32% accuracy. 

Against Texas A&M, Johnson played 26 minutes and went 0-for-14 shooting with six rebounds, one steal, one blocked shot, no assists and three turnovers. Green scored 15 points on 5-for-12 shooting with four rebounds, and three assists.

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Ellis played college basketball at Notre Dame from 1988-92. He played in the NBA from 1992-2003.

Erik Hall is the lead digital producer for sports with the USA Today Network. You can find him on Twitter @HallErik.