Auburn coach Bruce Pearl is cautioning his team not to overlook visiting Monmouth when they clash on Monday night, in what will be the Tigers’ final nonconference game of the regular season.The No. 2 Tigers (11-1) have won four in a row following their lone setback against host Duke on Dec. 4. They open Southeastern Conference play on Jan. 4 against visiting Missouri. But Pearl is wary of the Hawks (2-10), who have won two of their past four games, including a victory at Seton Hall on Nov. 30.Monmouth is led by Abdi Bashir Jr., who ranks among the top 10 in the nation in scoring at 21.6 points per game. The Hawks are coming off an 88-74 win over Fairfield on Dec. 21 in what was their first home game of the season.”(Monmouth coach) King Rice’s team has played a really tough schedule and played only one home game,” Pearl said. “I think it says a lot and they have a great, great player in (Bashir). He’s long and he can shoot it. They play an attractive style, and their record goes out the door.”Auburn likely will be fine should forward Johni Broome continue his magnificent play of late.Broome, who leads the Tigers in scoring (18.5 points per game), rebounds (11.5), assists (3.3) and blocks (2.6), bounced back from a right shoulder injury scare and led his team to an 87-69 victory against then-No. 16 Purdue on Dec. 21. Broome scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Auburn to its fourth win this season over a ranked opponent.With more than a week to rest, Broome figures to be good to go against Monmouth and fit to begin the tough stretch that follows.In addition to Broome, Auburn has seen stellar guard play from Chad Baker-Mazara (12.8 points per game) as well as Tahaad Pettiford and Denver Jones, who each are averaging 11.3 points per game.
