Missouri basketball faces Auburn on Saturday afternoon in Auburn, Alabama, to open its Southeastern Conference slate. That means Mizzou, playing its first SEC game since losing all 19 matchups it played against league opponents in the 2023-24 season, is traveling to face one of the top teams in the nation for its first shot at redemption.

For Auburn, the loss comes at a time when the team is already reeling from the number of injuries that seems to keep piling up. The Tigers were without star transfer Taliah Scott for the ninth straight game due to a wrist injury, someone who could give a much-needed spark to Auburn’s backcourt offensively.

Missouri basketball is 11-2 after nonconfence play, and now comes the stern test of the SEC. Here’s what we know about MU’s strengths and weaknesses.

The Tigers and Volunteers remain at the top as SEC play begins, while Utah State and St. Bonaventure join the power rankings

After a slow holiday period, the top 10 remains unchanged -- but this is the week the matchups really get good.

After defeating Pittsburgh earlier this week, the Yellow Jackets continue their homestand by welcoming Syracuse to Atlanta. Georgia Tech is 14-0 and 2-0 in the