Smith, do-it-all Kessler lead No. 21 Auburn past UCF, 85-68
Central Florida guard Darius Perry, left, and Auburn guard Zep Jasper (12) compete for the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Central Florida guard Darius Perry, left, and Auburn guard Zep Jasper (12) compete for the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Dec. 01, 2021 09:02 PM EST
Auburn coach Bruce Pearl reacts to a call during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Central Florida on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Auburn coach Bruce Pearl reacts to a call during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Central Florida on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Dec. 01, 2021 09:02 PM EST
Auburn guard Wendell Green Jr. (1) drives as Central Florida guard Darius Perry defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Auburn guard Wendell Green Jr. (1) drives as Central Florida guard Darius Perry defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Dec. 01, 2021 10:31 PM EST
Central Florida guard Darin Green Jr. (22) tries to pass the ball as Auburn guard K.D. Johnson (0) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Central Florida guard Darin Green Jr. (22) tries to pass the ball as Auburn guard K.D. Johnson (0) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Dec. 01, 2021 09:00 PM EST
Central Florida guard Darius Perry (2) shoots as Auburn forward Walker Kessler (13) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Central Florida guard Darius Perry (2) shoots as Auburn forward Walker Kessler (13) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Dec. 01, 2021 09:01 PM EST
Central Florida guard Darius Perry (2) drives to the basket around Auburn guard Wendell Green Jr. (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Central Florida guard Darius Perry (2) drives to the basket around Auburn guard Wendell Green Jr. (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Dec. 01, 2021 09:01 PM EST
Auburn guard K.D. Johnson (0) reacts after a dunk against Central Florida during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Auburn guard K.D. Johnson (0) reacts after a dunk against Central Florida during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Dec. 01, 2021 10:29 PM EST
Auburn guard K.D. Johnson (0) puts up a shoots over Central Florida guard Darin Green Jr. (22) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Auburn guard K.D. Johnson (0) puts up a shoots over Central Florida guard Darin Green Jr. (22) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Dec. 01, 2021 08:17 PM EST
Central Florida forward C.J. Walker (21) blocks the shot of Auburn forward Jabari Smith (10) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Central Florida forward C.J. Walker (21) blocks the shot of Auburn forward Jabari Smith (10) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Dec. 01, 2021 10:29 PM EST
Auburn guard K.D. Johnson (0) reacts after a turnover by Central Florida during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Auburn guard K.D. Johnson (0) reacts after a turnover by Central Florida during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Dec. 01, 2021 08:18 PM EST