No. 11 Auburn (21-6,10-4) will visit Rocky Top for a top 15 showdown with the No. 4 Tennessee Volunteers (21-6, 11-3). The Vols sit tied atop the SEC with Alabama, while the Tigers are tied one game back of the two powerhouses with South Carolina. A win on Rocky Top would go a long way for both programs in the final game of February.
“It's almost March and we are still playing for championships,” Auburn head Coach Bruce Pearl said. “There aren't many teams in the country that can say that especially in a league this could.”
Headed into March the Tigers will look to submit their name into the running for the SEC regular season title. A win would tie the Tigers on top of the SEC, headed into March where they will have three games all of which they will be favored in. Tennessee is a bit of a different story with all of their remaining games being top 25 matchups.
Johni Broome for the Tigers will look to have a big day as he has securely carved himself a space as one of the best players in the country. The center leads the Tigers in rebounds, points, and field goal percentage. The Tigers can win without him leading them in all three categories, they have shown all year that their depth can win them games and help them adapt to each team in the SEC; however, a win will be all the more difficult without the superb play of Broome.
The Tennesse Volunteers are not without their stars. Dalton Knecht who has, this year, burst onto the scene not only in SEC but in the country. Knecht leads the Vols in scoring with just 20 points a game while shooting a mesmerizing 47.7 percent from the field. A ridiculously high clip for anyone but especially someone in his position as he shoots the three quite a bit and quite well at about 40% this season.
“He's going to get his,” Pearl said “He can do it all both ends of the floor and he presents a real matchup problem.”
Both defenses are looking to keep up their stellar seasons as they both are holding opponents under 68 points per game. Both offenses; however, are scoring over 80 points per game. With Jaylin Williams as a game-time decision that will travel to Knoxville, Auburn will look to continue to play the way they have and have guys coming in and out with their incredible depth.
Aden Holloway had a breakout day Saturday at Georgia in Auburn’s blowout win. He hit a season-high five threes and looked unstoppable, and surely the Tigers will look to him for an added scoring option to an already lethal offense.
“I thought Aden did great,” Pearl complimented Holloway. “He showed how tough he is…he hasn’t shied away from the moment.”
Auburn visits Tennessee Wednesday in Knoxville, Tennessee for a Top 15 showdown that will have massive impacts come mid-March and in the race for the SEC regular season title. The showdown starts at 6 pm CT and will be televised on ESPN 2 along with the Auburn Sports Network.
