Big men's basketball game in Tuscaloosa tonight between two teams that are playing as well as any team in the SEC not named LSU right now. I wrote about it here in the newspaper.A sampling:
It’s been a little less than two months since Auburn and Alabama last met on a basketball court, but the teams might have a hard time recognizing each other when they meet tonight in Tuscaloosa, Ala.About that postseason bid for Auburn, make sure to check out the latest NIT-ology, which has the Tigers as a No. 5 seed and getting closer to actually hosting a first-round game.The Tigers and Crimson Tide, who play at Coleman Coliseum at 9 p.m. on ESPN, have both turned around their seasons since Auburn cruised to a 14-point victory in the teams’ first meeting in mid-January.
Once destined for the same mediocre SEC finish it has had the last five seasons, Auburn (19-10, 8-6) is instead on the cusp of its first postseason bid in coach Jeff Lebo’s five years, having won six of its last seven.
Following a rocky start to conference play during which it lost two key ingredients — star guard Ronald Steele to injury and coach Mike Gottfried to resignation — Alabama (16-12, 6-8) has shown some pride under interim coach Philip Pearson, going 4-5 in the last month and a half and winning its last three games.
As for NCAA aspirations, I've made my stance known on here. Auburn is a loooooongshot to make the four-letter tournament. I'm talking "have to win the SEC tournament and get the automatic bid" longshot.
Look at the latest Bracketology on ESPN and it ain't pretty for the SEC. Florida isn't in the Big Dance and Kentucky is on the cusp of falling out. It should make the conference tournament all the more cutthroat.
Speaking of which, Auburn (19-10, 8-6 SEC) can sow up the No. 2 seed in the SEC tournament with a win in either of its last two games.
Mississippi State (7-7 SEC) and Alabama (6-8) can still earn the second spot and get the first-round bye.
The Bulldogs need to win out and hope the Tigers lose both of their games, because Auburn holds the head-to-head tiebreaker.
The only way the Crimson Tide would be the No. 2 seed is if it can tie Auburn and not have Mississippi State in the mix. That would require to Alabama wins, two Auburn losses and two Mississippi State losses. Using the third tiebreaker (head-to-head and divisional record for Auburn and Alabama would be identical), the Crimson Tide would win out by virtue of its win against division-leading LSU.
It makes your head spin thinking about it. Bottom line, though: Auburn can get where it wants to by taking care of its own business this week.
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