Game: Auburn @Alabama Where: Coleman Coliseum, Tuscaloosa
Records: Tigers (15-15, 6-9); Tide (15-14, 5-10)
Time: 12:47 tipoff; coverage starts at 12:30
TV: SEC Network; Birmingham, WTTO-Channel 21
Starters:
Auburn:
F-Lucas Hargrove, No.4, 6'4", 218, Sr. 13.2 ppg, 7 rbg, 2.8 apg
F-Johnnie Lett, No.34, 6'6", 210 Sr. 1.9 ppg, 3.3 rbg.
G-DeWayne Reed, No.12, 6'1", 175, Sr. 16.1, 2.6, 4.4 apg
G-Frankie Sullivan, No.20, 6'1", 195 Soph.12.4, 3.7, 2.1
G-Tay Waller, No.24, 6'2", 193 Sr. 15.7, 3.6, 1.1
Key Reserves:
C-Brendon Knox, No.30, 6'10", 235, Sr. 6.9, 4.0, 1.1
G-Earnest Ross, No.33, 6'5", 215, Frosh. 3.0, 3.2
G-Andre Malone, No.1, 6'5", 210, Frosh. 2.9, 2.3
Alabama:
F-Tony Mitchell, No.5, 6'6", 185, Frosh, 8.9, 5.6, 1.3 apg
F-Justin Knox, No. 40, 6'9", 240, Jr. 6.9, 3.5
F-Chris Hines, No.44, 6'6", 220, Jr. 3.4, 4.1
G-Anthony Brock, No. 1, 5'9", 165, Sr. 6.0, 1.9, 2.4 apg
G-Mikhail Torrance, No.2, 6'5", 210, Sr. 15.5, 3.2, 5.2 apg.
Key Reserves:
G-Senario Hillman, No.21, 6'1", 192, Jr. 8.3, 3.0, 2.3 apg
G-Charvez Davis, No.24, 6'3", 190, Jr. 5.8, 1.3, 0.7
Analysis: AU and 'Bama come off big wins Wednesday Night; the Tigers defeated a very good Mississippi State team as Tay Waller was six-of-11 from trifecta and Brendon Knox poured in 21. 'Bama was down 14 to South Carolina in the first half, but came back for a big victory on the road. Some of 'Bama's newcomers like Charvez Davis and Chris Hines are starting to step up. Tony Mitchell has been very good most of the year and the team just looked inspired in their 79-70 victory over USC. The Tigers did as well in playing a great game in their 89-80 victory over the Bulldogs, a possible tourney team if they can win some down the stretch.
It should come down to the wire. Auburn won in the last seconds, 58-57, at Auburn when the Tide kind of self destructed and the Tigers took advantage of it.
Key players in the game will be for Auburn, Waller, Knox, Sullivan and Reed. Auburn always needs to shoot the 3 well, but Knox may have added another dimension inside. Hagrove is such a versatile player for the Tigers. He will penetrate and shoot from the outside. Great athlete. The Brendon Knox-Justin Knox battle should be interesting. Mikhail Torrance will have to run the point well again for 'Bama and score as he has most of the season. Mitchell, Davis and Hillman need to be scorers.
No word on JaMychal Green. The Tide played well without him so they may not need him though he would help. Maybe a game time decision on the suspended sophomore. Anthony Grant has sent a message to his team that he will not put up with discipline issues and they responded Wednesday.
Both teams need this victory. A rivalry win, especially this one, is always huge. Should be a very exciting game. Definitely worth watching. Both these teams need momentum going into the tourney so they can do some damage there.