Chad Baker-Mazara scored 20 points, and No. 1 Auburn beat No. 15 Mississippi State 88-66 on Tuesday night in its first game without star center Johni Broome. Chaney Johnson, who replaced Broome in the starting lineup,

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.

Five Auburn players scored in double figures and the No. 1 Tigers survived their first test without their best player, Johni Broome, prevailing 88-66 over visiting No. 15 Mississippi State on Tuesday.