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MSU-UT: 'It's Going To Be A Battle'

By MICK ELLIOTT

melliott@tampatrib.com

Published: March 14, 2009

The Auburn Tigers played Tennessee and Mississippi State twice each this season.

The Tigers beat Tennessee 78-77 in Auburn during the regular season, and lost 94-85 in Saturday's SEC Tournament semifinal. They beat Mississippi State twice in the regular season, 91-76 at home and 76-58 on the road.

So what do they think about today's SEC title game between the Volunteers and Bulldogs?

"Well, it's going to be a battle," Auburn coach Jeff Lebo said. "I think that Tennessee's probably going to try to go inside. Mississippi State's going to use their four-guard lineup to try to spread them to see if they can make shots. It will be a heck of a basketball game."

DIFFERENT REWARDS

Today's SEC Tournament title game between Tennessee and Mississippi State creates an interesting psychology study.

By every projection, Tennessee already has earned an NCAA Tournament invitation. Mississippi State, on the other hand, despite a 22-12 record, almost certainly gets in only by earning the automatic bid that goes to the league champion.

Does that make the Bulldogs more desperate, thus more dangerous?

"They're fighting for their NCAA life, and we're fighting for a great seed," Tennessee guard Tyler Smith said. "It goes both ways. We're just trying to play our basketball. We know we can do things that haven't been done in a long time in SEC history. That's what we're trying to do."

THERE ARE BEACHES, TOO

Tennessee loves the Tampa Bay area.

After their second win in this weekend's SEC Tournament, the Volunteers are a perfect 6-0 in Tampa, a streak that includes wins against the University of Tampa in 1948 and '68, and the University of South Florida in 1995 and '98.

The Volunteers also are 2-0 in St. Petersburg, winning the 1994 Big Sun Invitation at the Bayfront Center.

SAY IT TILL YOU BELIEVE IT

If you think the SEC coaches are tired of being asked why their league is so lousy this year, you are right.

Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl gave another passionate defense Saturday when asked if 22-11 Auburn deserved NCAA consideration after its 94-85 loss to the Volunteers.

"I'll start off by having to answer the question whether or not we're a quality conference," Pearl said. "It's a great basketball conference. We've got a two-time defending national champion the last couple of years in Florida. We've got one of the most tradition-rich programs in the history of college basketball in Kentucky. And what makes this conference so good is neither one of those teams are in the Final Four here in Tampa. That speaks to the commitment that the SEC has placed on men's basketball.

"I do think Auburn is going to receive very strong consideration for an NCAA Tournament bid. They've got 22 wins. I do hope they get very strong consideration, and I hope our league is able to get four or five teams to the dance."

AUBURN'S LEBO DIDN'T LIE

Give Lebo a tip of the hat for honesty.

His Tigers won nine of 10 games before losing to Tennessee. They are 22-11. They want an NCAA Tournament bid. It just doesn't look likely.

So when asked about the probability of accepting an NIT bid, Lebo did not say what a great honor it would be.

"I don't think we will be enthusiastic to start," he said. "I'm not going to lie. I don't think. I think it's going to be hurting, and they should be. So we'll have to deal with that once we find out. But we'll just have to wait and see when it comes out today."

Mick Elliott

Point total by

Auburn's Rasheem Barrett after going scoreless in the

first half

44-26

Tennessee's

rebounding edge over Auburn

Points scored by Tennessee in the first half, matching its season high (Nov. 27 vs. Siena)

6-10

Auburn's record this season when trailing at halftime

19-2

Tennessee's record this season when leading at halftime