By R.L. Bynum
Centers Garrison Brooks, Brandon Huffman and Walker Kessler each put up double-doubles Saturday as their teams earned big conference victories.
Brooks had 16 points and 10 rebounds for his second double-double of the season in Mississippi State’s 78–76 home victory over No. 24 Alabama.
Brooks also had a block and a steal as the Bulldogs moved to 12–4 overall and 3–1 in the SEC with their second consecutive victory.
Kessler collected 20 points, 10 rebounds, seven blocks and four steals as No. 4 Auburn (16–1, 4–0 SEC) beat Mississippi 80–71 for its 13th consecutive victory. It was his third game this season with at least seven blocks and sixth double-double.
“Kessler was dominant. We don’t win without him,” Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said. “He rebounded, blocked shots and finished around the rim. It was just a great job. And we needed it tonight.”
If Kessler maintained the averages all season, he would become the fifth freshman or sophomore to average 10 points, four rebounds and one steal per game, joining Kentucky’s Nerlens Noel (2012–13), Kentucky’s Anthony Davis (2011–12), LSU’s Shaquille O’Neal (1990–91) and Houston’s Hakeem Olajuwon (1982–83).
Huffman had 10 points and 13 rebounds in Jacksonville State’s 76–65 win at Eastern Kentucky for the Gamecocks’ fifth consecutive victory and Huffman’s second double-double of the season.
Huffman scored the first six points of the game for Jacksonville State (10–6), which leads the ASUN’s Western Division at 3–0.
In Monmouth’s first game since Dec. 22, the Hawks came off of the program’s COVID-19 pause with a 67–62 road loss Friday to Saint Peter’s.
Walker Miller contributed 10 points, four rebounds and two assists as Monmouth fell to 10–4 overall and 2–1 in the MAAC.
Seventh Woods collected seven points, four rebounds, three assists and a career-high-tying four steals in Morgan State’s 79–76 home loss Saturday to Coppin State. Woods also had four steals for UNC against Saint Francis on Nov. 19, 2018.
How the seven former Tar Heels did
Garrison Brooks, Mississippi State center
78–76 Saturday win vs. Alabama — Started; 33 minutes, 16 points, 6–12 FT, 0–3 3FG, 4–6 FT, 10 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal, -1
Season statistics — 16 games, 16 starts, 11.1 points, 46.7 FG%, 31.6% 3FG%, 75.0% FT%, 6.9 rebounds; season totals of 11 assists, 13 blocks, 4 steals
Up next — 6:30 Wednesday at Florida, SEC Network; 3 p.m. Saturday vs. Mississippi, ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU
———————————————
Jeremiah Francis, New Mexico guard
71–63 loss Saturday vs. Boise State — Didn’t play
Season statistics — 7 games, 2.0 points, 40.0% FG, 2–6 3FG; season totals of 5 rebounds, 13 assists, 1 block
Up next — 10 p.m. Wednesday at Colorado State, CBS Sports Network; 7:30 Saturday at Wyoming, CBS Sports Network
———————————————
Brandon Huffman, Jacksonville State forward/center
76–65 Saturday win at Eastern Kentucky — Started; 19 minutes, 10 points, 5–7 FG, 0–1 FT, 13 rebounds, 2 turnovers
Season statistics — 16 games, 16 starts, 9.8 points, 64.3 FG%, 62.5 FT%, 6.2 rebounds; season totals of 3 assists, 15 blocks and 8 steals
Up next — 7 p.m. Tuesday at Central Arkansas, ESPN+; 4 p.m. Saturday vs. Florida Gulf Coast, ESPN+
———————————————
Walker Kessler, Auburn forward/center
80–71 win vs. Mississippi — Started; 33 minutes, 20 points, 9–11 FG, 0–1 3FG, 2–2 FT, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals, 7 blocks, +9
Season statistics — 17 games, 17 starts, 10.0 points, 60.5 FG%, 16.7% 3FG, 64.7 FT%, 7.5 rebounds; season totals of 15 assists, 71 blocks, 18 steals
Up next — 9 p.m. Wednesday vs. Georgia, ESPNU; 1 p.m. or 1:30 Saturday vs. Kentucky, CBS
———————————————
Walker Miller, Monmouth forward
67–62 Friday loss at Saint Peter’s — Started; 29 minutes, 10 points, 3–9 FG, 0–1 3FG, 4–7 FT, 4 rebounds, 2 assists
Season statistics — 14 games, 14 starts, 14.6 points, 48.0 FG%, 33.3 3FG%, 82.3 FT%, 6.6 rebounds; season totals of 13 assists, 13 blocks, 8 steals
Up next — 2 p.m. Sunday at Marist, ESPN3; 7 p.m. Tuesday vs. Iona, ESPN+
———————————————
Andrew Platek, Siena guard
Out for the season after having surgery to repair a full tear in the Achilles tendon in his left leg
Season statistics — 5 games, 3 starts, 9.0 points, 40.9 FG%, 31.3 3FG%, 4–4 FT, 3.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists
———————————————
Seventh Woods, Morgan State guard
79–76 Saturday loss vs. Coppin State — Started; 30 minutes, 7 points, 3–5 FG, 1–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 turnovers, 4 steals
Season statistics — 8 games, 4 starts, 7.4 points, 53.7 FG%, 33.3 3FG%, 2.4 rebounds; season total of 23 assists, 6 steals, 2 blocks
Up next — 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22 vs. Howard; 7:30 Monday, Jan. 24, at Norfolk State, ESPNU
———————————————
tarheeltribune.com 
