If you’re staring at your watch wondering what time does Auburn basketball play, you aren’t alone. SEC play is a total grind this year. It feels like every single game is a "must-win" before we even hit February. Tonight, January 14, 2026, the Tigers are heading into a hostile environment at Mizzou Arena, and the timing is actually pretty specific depending on where you're sitting.
The Tip-Off Details for Auburn vs. Missouri
Basically, Auburn tips off against Missouri at 6:00 PM CST.
If you are following from the Plains, that’s your time. For those of you up on the East Coast or just used to Eastern Time listings, it’s a 7:00 PM EST start. It’s a weeknight game, so it’s that perfect "get home from work, grab some dinner, and settle in" window.
The game is being carried by ESPN2. Don't go looking for it on the SEC Network or Peacock tonight. It’s a national broadcast, which usually means we get the higher-tier commentary crew, but it also means the tip-off might slide by five or ten minutes if the game before it runs long. You know how it goes with those early-window games—lots of fouls in the final minute can push everything back.
Where to Watch and Stream
- TV Channel: ESPN2
- Streaming: ESPN App (requires cable login) or services like FuboTV and YouTube TV.
- Radio: Auburn Sports Network (93.9 WTGZ in the Auburn area).
Why This Specific Game Matters Right Now
Auburn is sitting at a bit of a crossroads. After a somewhat rocky start to conference play with those close losses to Georgia and Texas A&M, Steven Pearl—yeah, it's still weird saying "Head Coach Steven Pearl" for some—really needed that statement win against Arkansas last Saturday. And boy, did they get it.
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Winning 95-73 against a ranked Razorback team? That changed the vibe completely.
But Missouri is a different animal, especially at home. They are currently 10-0 at Mizzou Arena. They haven't lost on their own floor all season. They shoot the lights out, leading the SEC in field goal percentage at over 51%. If Auburn’s perimeter defense is lazy tonight, it’s going to be a long flight back to Alabama.
Breaking Down the Matchup
Keyshawn Hall is the man everyone is talking about. He just snagged the Dick Vitale National Player of the Week honors after putting up 30 points on Arkansas. He’s been a matchup nightmare because he’s basically a freight train with a jump shot.
Missouri is going to counter with Mark Mitchell. He’s a veteran, he’s physical, and he’s been their "steady hand" all year.
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One thing to watch: Missouri is actually one of the tallest teams in the country (ranked 7th by KenPom). Auburn usually wins by dominating the paint and the glass, but they won't have the usual size advantage tonight. They’ll have to be "vertical at the rim," as Coach Pearl likes to say, without picking up those cheap reach-in fouls that plagued them earlier in December.
Looking Ahead: The Rest of the January Slate
If you missed the memo, the schedule doesn't get any easier after tonight. Once the Missouri game wraps up, the Tigers have a quick turnaround.
- Saturday, Jan 17: vs. South Carolina at 5:00 PM CST (Neville Arena is going to be "Nothing but Neon" for this one).
- Tuesday, Jan 20: at Ole Miss at 8:00 PM CST.
- Saturday, Jan 24: at Florida (Time is still TBD, likely 3:00 or 3:30 PM CST).
Honestly, if Auburn can go 3-1 over this four-game stretch, they are firmly back in the hunt for a top-four seed in the SEC Tournament. The loss to Georgia in overtime still stings, but a road win in Columbia tonight would go a long way toward healing that wound.
How to Stay Updated
Look, TV schedules for college hoops change faster than the weather in Alabama. While tonight is locked in for 6:00 PM CST on ESPN2, always keep an eye on the official Auburn Tigers app or their Twitter (X) feed @AuburnMBB. They usually post the "uniform of the day" and the confirmed tip time about two hours before the ball goes up.
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If you’re planning to head to a game at Neville Arena later this month, remember that the "Wear Navy" or "Neon" themes aren't just suggestions. The student section—The Jungle—takes that stuff seriously. If you show up in orange on a navy night, you’re going to stick out like a sore thumb.
To get ready for tonight’s tip-off, make sure your ESPN app is updated and your cable credentials haven't expired. You don't want to be scrambling for a password at 5:59 PM. If the Tigers can maintain the defensive intensity they showed against Arkansas, they have a real shot at breaking Missouri's home winning streak.
Check the live box score on the ESPN or Fox Sports apps during the game to track Keyshawn Hall's production—if he gets into double digits before the under-12 timeout, Auburn is usually in a very good spot.