Vols Set For Colossal Showdown On The Plains
By Donaven Cook
This is the biggest SEC regular season game since…
My mind goes back to the 2010s with Florida and Kentucky but I have never claimed to have a sharp mind.
The Auburn Tigers haven’t played basketball in a whole week. They have been able to rest and heal up ahead of their game against the Vols.
Something they actually needed if you ask the Auburn faithful, as stand out player Johni Broome has been dealing with an ankle sprain that has kept him sidelined the last few games.
Broome is a projected first round NBA draft pick and a betting favorite for the national player of the year award.
Coach Bruce Pearl was rather vague with his comments about Broome this week as he said “there’s a possibility he’ll try and practice, but we’re not sure.”
[Update: Broome is reportedly a game-time decision and wants to play.]
Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes spoke with the tip-off club this week at Calhoun’s where he stated he was convinced Johni Broome will play Saturday.
The Vols didn’t get the week off but instead played No. 14 Mississippi State Tuesday and won 68-56.
Chaz Lanier has seemingly busted out of his shooting slump and Zakai Zeigler has been playing like the SEC defensive player of the year — recording at least five steals in back-to-back games.
The Vols once held that coveted No. 1 ranking for five weeks this season. A trip to Gainesville ended that but the Vols know what it feels like to be the hunted.
Now they are on the hunt going into Auburn.
College Gameday will be at Auburn for the game and the wonderful Jay Bias will be on the call (yes, I know his real name is Bilas, that was a joke not a typo).
According to KenPom, the Vols are No. 6 overall, No. 22 in adjusted offense, and No. 3 in adjusted defense while the Tigers rank second overall, first in adjusted offense, and 21st in adjusted defense.
I hope the boys win. Few things in life are finer than cheering on your favorite team with your pals and them prevailing against the top team in the country.
Speaking of which, The Local Smokey is where you want to watch the game Saturday.
The first official Fanrun watch party of the year takes place this weekend where you can come hang out and watch the games with all of us.
Hear me yell like the redneck I am, buy Cody a drink and talk about the Stones and how awesome California is, experience Jon Reed in the flesh, or ask Tim Hill to say “7am to 10am.”
The Local Smokey is located at 404 Williams St. in downtown Knoxville.
The game is at 8:30 ET on ESPN.