The top-seeded Tigers are set to face the No. 8 seed Ole Miss in the quarterfinal round of the SEC Tournament following the Rebels defeat of No. 9 seed Arkansas 83-80 Thursday afternoon inside of Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN.
“For us, we don't have a great taste in our mouth, having lost the last two games of the year,” SEC head coach of the year Bruce Pearl said Wednesday. “I’d like our guys to continue to fight for the opportunity to make history and be a team that separates itself, as we have already in the regular season.”
Auburn has won eight straight games over Ole Miss and took down the Rebels by an average margin of 20.0 points in their two matchups this season.
Two of the Tigers top-five highest scoring games of conference play came against the Rebels — scoring 92 points in the road win and a season-high 106 points at home.
Of the eight times Auburn has knocked down double-digit shots from deep during SEC play, twice its happened against Ole Miss — knocking down a conference play high of 14 on the road in Oxford, MS.
“This team has demonstrated that they're great competitors,” Pearl said. “They don't want to lose. They don't like losing, we don't. They should have confidence going through the grind of what we've gone through. We respect everybody that's up there. It'll be about matchups.”
No. 4 Johni Broome knocks down a 3-pointer against No. 23 Ole Miss in the first half on February 1, 2025.
The SEC player of the year, Johni Broome has been particularly successful against the Rebels this season, scoring 20-or-more points in both appearances.
“I’ve always, myself, voted for the best player on the best team to be the player of the year,” Pearl said. “Not necessarily always the best player in the league. But the best player on the best team, and certainly Johni Broome was that during the regular season.”
With Broome alone averaging 10.5 rebounds in the duo of appearances against the Rebels, the Tigers’ recent struggle at the boards hasn’t been present in either matchup with Ole Miss — winning rebounds by margins of 13 and nine in their two games.
“I suppose that some of my best postseason teams weren't necessarily my regular season championship team,” Pearl said.
Auburn will look to win its first game in the SEC Tournament after taking the regular season title under Pearl, falling in its tournament opener in both 2018 and 2022.
“And so, it's all about step up. What more do you have? The one thing that gives me hope about this team is you've seen, throughout the year, different guys really be able to step up and see another level. That another level is what you need in March,” Pearl said.
The Tigers will start their quest for back-to-back SEC Tournament titles when they tip off with the Rebels on Friday, March. 14 at Noon CST inside of Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN. The game will air on ESPN.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
Patrick is a junior from Auburn, Alabama, double majoring in journalism and marketing. He started with The Plainsman in the fall of 2022.
You can follow him on X (Twitter) at @patrickabingham
