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.

While it brings up questions, mainly surrounding its “Atlantic Coast Conference” name, it’s built up one of the most impressive group of programs in women’s college basketball. These are the top 10 players in the new-look conference made of athletes all over Tobacco Road.

Auburn is No. 1 in the CBS Sports Top 25 And 1 daily college basketball rankings for the sixth consecutive morning and will likely move to No. 1 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll when it updates later Monday.

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.