Earlier in the week, while discussing Auburn, I explained why I think the Tigers deserve their No. 1 ranking but acknowledged I also find it hard to believe they're actually the best team in the country without the injured Johni Broome.

The record-breaking Neville Arena crowd cheered loudly as Auburn won the opening tip. It didn’t take long for Chaney Johnson -- Auburn’s 6-foot-7 forward who was filling in for the injured Johni Broome -- to get the ball on his way to the rim.

The Auburn Tigers will be cautiously optimistic heading into Tuesday’s game with Mississippi State. How does Broome’s injury status affect Auburn’s win probability? According to ESPN, the Tigers still have a strong chance to claim another key SEC win.