Kentucky basketball: UK not the only SEC team that will make a deep run

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ST LOUIS, MO – MARCH 09: Head coach Bruce Pearl of Auburn Tigers reacts during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the quarterfinals round of the 2018 SEC Basketball Tournament at Scottrade Center on March 9, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Auburn Tigers

If I’m being honest, Auburn is the SEC team that I trust the least. I know that’s crazy, seeing as how the Tigers won the SEC regular season. But you saw how Bruce Pearl’s team reacted, right? They lost in their first game of the SEC Tournament to Alabama. Granted, Collin Sexton played amazing, but c’mon, as the No. 1 seed, you can’t lose that game.

Auburn had an amazing regular season, and maybe that loss to the Crimson Tide will light a fire under the Tigers. Earlier this season, the Tigers beat Tennessee and Kentucky, the teams who made the conference title game.

The Tigers have a balanced scoring attack, with four players averaging double figures in points. Four of Auburn’s players average over 5 rebounds per contest. The Tigers also led the SEC in free throw percentage and were second in attempts. When they get to the foul line, they make the most of their opportunities.

As I said earlier, I just don’t trust this Auburn team, but that doesn’t mean they can’t advance. The Tigers open against the College of Charleston and if they win will play either Clemson or New Mexico State. If Auburn makes the Sweet Sixteen, they’d likely play the No. 1 seed Kansas Jayhawks. Auburn has been resilient all season, losing back-to-back games only once. They will need that resilience to advance deep in the NCAA Tournament.

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