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AUBURN AUTHORITY

Antoine Mason 'most likely' out against Coastal Carolina

James Crepea
Montgomery Advertiser
Auburn guard Antoine Mason is "most likely" going to miss Friday's game with Coastal Carolina.

AUBURN -- The return of Antoine Mason appears to be at least one game, and 10 days, away.

The fifth-year Auburn guard has missed the last five games due to an ankle sprain he suffered in the Nov. 14 season opener against Milwaukee and is "most likely" going to miss Friday's game with Coastal Carolina, according to Auburn coach Bruce Pearl, who isn't sure if Mason will even be back for the Dec. 14 trip to Clemson, which is Auburn's next game after a nine-day break for final exams.

"I think everybody would have anticipated him being back sooner, including Antoine," Pearl said. "I don't know (when he'll be back). We will see how it is. Last week was the first week he tried to go, and he could not push off on it. I'm sure he'll try again (Thursday), but he wasn't close earlier this week."

Pearl said Mason had an MRI earlier this week, which showed a bone bruise but no structural damage to the right ankle of the nation's leading returning scorer.

Without Mason in the lineup, Pearl has started K.C. Ross-Miller, also a fifth-year transfer, at point guard. Ross-Miller (7.7 points and 2.0 assists) has picked up his play on the defensive end, with nine steals in the past two games.

Whenever Mason returns, it'll alter a lineup that's had far more time without him than with him.

"Of course as it relates to chemistry and continuity and things we have talked about when he does come back, what page is he on?" Pearl said. "Those are just the challenges that coaches face and I look forward to the challenges of getting him back.