Tigers revert to habits of year's past, lose ugly in SEC Semi, 70-65
The Auburn Tigers have not made a run past the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament since 2019. While each iteration of Bruce Pearl's Tigers have been plagued by a specific set of issues resulting in those early exists, one overarching trope has trumped them all. At the end of the day, guard play is what leads to victories in the month of March.
For the first four months of the 2024-2025 campaign, Auburn's guard play was among the best in the nation. Over the last four games, it has been below-average. Tahaad Pettiford, Miles Kelly, Denver Jones, and Chad Baker-Mazara combined for just 10 field goals on Saturday, a mark that was 2 ticks lower than the amount of fouls the quartet commited.
Tennessee's All-SEC backcourt of Zakai Ziegler, Jordan Gainey, and Chaz Lanier combined for 47 points, marking the key differance in what turned into a 5-point Volunteer victory.
Tennessee got on the board first with a contested three from guard Chaz Lanier before Denver Jones got the Tigers started with a deep long ball of his own. From there, the scoring skyrocketed, with both 'Final Four' hopefuls trading buckets throughout the opening minutes of the game.
All-SEC guard Zakai Ziegler took over much of the offensive production for his Volunteers, while Chad Baker-Mazara, Johni Broome, and Miles Kelly led an inside-out attack for Bruce Pearl's Tigers. The scorching nature of the scoring continued, with 4-seed Tennessee jumping out to an early lead.
Ziegler and company, who are playing for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, knocked down 6 of their first 8 field goals, leading to an early 15-14 advantage seven minutes into the first frame. That lead ballooned as Auburn began struggling offensively towards the end of the half.
While Tennessee, which is not known for its offensive prowess, continued to pick apart Auburn's defense, the Tigers were forced to grind for buckets against a stout Rick Barnes-led front. Johni Broome kept his top-seeded squad within striking distance, but the slashing of Zakai Ziegler on the other end erased most of the tough-earned points from Auburn's star.
Auburn's defense finally started to smother Tennessee's scorching stretch of scoring in the final minutes of the opening stanza, leading to a late 29-26 advantage with three minutes remaining in the half. The Volunteers defense stiffened even more after losing the lead, resulting in a once high-scoring half to finish in a 33-32 Tigers edge.
Johni Broome led all scorers in the opening 20 minutes with 12 points, while the Tennessee backcourt of Ziegler and Lanier combined for 21 of the Volunteers 32 points.
Ziegler re-took the game-high in scoring shortly into the second half after finishing a pair of masterful layups to give his team the lead. The second layup, which was a floater over the outstretched arm of Johni Broome, may have been the best shot of the game by either team.
Broome seemed to take it personally, as Auburn's best player immediately went to work on the offensive end, sending the Tigers on an 8-2 run with the help of Denver Jones and a nice offensive put-back from Dylan Cardwell. The Volunteers quickly answered, earning 4 points at the free throw line to cut Auburn's lead to a single point.
The Volunteers would take the lead a few possessions later, notably without Zakai Ziegler, who was dealing with foul trouble for most of the second half, on the floor. Miles Kelly would end the 9-2 Tennessee run with a 3-point shot from the line at 'Tootsies' on Broadway, giving Auburn a much-needed led with 13 minutes to go.
The lead didn't last long, with Tennessee again taking the lead back with free throws. Auburn's inability to defend without fouling would be the Tigers biggest Achilles heel down the stretch, as every tough shot made on the offense end was seemingly negated by a pair of Volunteers free throws on the other end.
The free points gave Tennessee a boost of confidence, allowing the No. 4 seed to open up a 55-48 lead with eight minutes remaining. That lead, which was the largest of the game by either team, proved to be insurmountable.
With Tahaad Pettiford (final points) and Auburn's guards struggling to find ways to score, the Volunteers took firm control the Saturday's semi final down the stretch, opening up a 12-point lead before the Tigers provided one final roar with a 10-0 run over the waining minutes.
Unfortunately Auburn's late gasp proved too little too late, as Tennessee held on to earn a 70-65 win. An Auburn team that once looked like clearly the best in the country as now lost three of its last four contests. Bruce Pearl's Tigers will get some much needed rest before opening the NCAA Tournament next Thursday or Friday.
Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Brian on Twitter@TheRealBHauch
This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Tigers revert to habits of year's past, lose ugly in SEC Semi, 70-65
Topics
-
Tigers suppress rebellion, hold off Ole Miss 62-57 to reach SEC Semis
Auburn survived it's first contest of the SEC Tournament on Friday afternoon on the back of Johni Broome.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Bruce Pearl points to No. 3 Auburn's resume in saying Tigers deserve NCAA's No. 1 overall seed
The Auburn Tigers go into the NCAA Tournament having lost three of their final four games. Coach Bruce Pearl isn't worried. “We lost to Alabama, Tennessee and at Texas A&M,” Pearl said Saturday ...Yahoo Sports - 5h -
No. 8 Tennessee downs No. 3 Auburn 70-65 to reach SEC Tournament championship game
The fourth-seeded Volunteers (27-6) got revenge for their Jan. 25 loss at Auburn and their 2019 loss to the Tigers in this tournament’s title game.Yahoo Sports - 5h -
ESPN predicts Saturday's SEC Tournament semifinal game between Tennessee and Auburn
The Auburn Tigers won a tough game on Friday against Ole Miss 62-57 and now looks to get another win over the Tennessee Volunteers.Yahoo Sports - 12h -
Bruce Pearl points to No. 3 Auburn’s resume in saying Tigers deserve NCAA’s No. 1 overall seed
Auburn won this tournament last year only to wind up a No. 4 seed when the selection committee announced the NCAA Tournament bracket. Auburn lost to Yale in the first round.Yahoo Sports - 4h -
SEC basketball tournament bracket, schedule: Can Auburn still run the table in Nashville?
After a dominant run through the SEC, the Tigers have lost their last two games. Will they bounce back as the top seed in the conference tournament?Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Auburn vs. Tennessee prediction, odds, spread, time: 2025 SEC Tournament picks, best bets from proven model
SportsLine's model simulated Tennessee Volunteers vs. Auburn Tigers in the SEC Tournament semifinals on Saturday 10,000 timesCBS Sports - 9h -
Tiger Woods faces another injury and another lost year. Has golf seen the last of him?
Tiger Woods is out of the Masters and probably for the rest of the year after surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendonABC News - 3d -
Did critical shot vs Ole Miss restore Auburn basketball's faith in Chaney Johnson? The Tigers never lost it
Leading up to Ole Miss on Friday, it had been six games since Auburn basketball's Chaney Johnson last splashed a 3-pointer.Yahoo Sports - 1d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Cowboys add receiver Parris Campbell, who will be on his 3rd NFC East team in 3 seasons
The Dallas Cowboys and free agent Parris Campbell agreed on a one-year contract Saturday, putting the receiver on his third NFC East team in three seasons. Campbell saw limited action with the ...Yahoo Sports - 22m -
Razorbacks even series against Ole Miss with 12-3 win
With the win, Dave Van Horn now has 900 as head coach of the Razorbacks. Arkansas starting pitcher Gabe Gaeckle struggled out of the gate, but settled in as the innings went by and ended up ...Yahoo Sports - 25m -
Hobbs scores 18 points, Mount St. Mary's wins first MAAC Championship title with 63-49 win over Iona
Yahoo Sports - 26m -
Caufield powers Canadiens to 3-1 victory over Panthers
Cole Caufield scored his team-leading 33rd goal and added an assist to help the Montreal Canadiens beat the Florida Panthers 3-1 on Saturday night. Patrik Laine and Christian Dvorak — with his ...Yahoo Sports - 27m -
SEC Championship - Tennessee vs. Florida Predictions: Odds, Expert Picks, Betting Trends, and Stats
Tennessee Volunteers vs. Florida Gators Game PreviewYahoo Sports - 28m
More in Sports
-
Cowboys add receiver Parris Campbell, who will be on his 3rd NFC East team in 3 seasons
The Dallas Cowboys and free agent Parris Campbell agreed on a one-year contract Saturday, putting the receiver on his third NFC East team in three seasons. Campbell saw limited action with the ...Yahoo Sports - 22m -
Razorbacks even series against Ole Miss with 12-3 win
With the win, Dave Van Horn now has 900 as head coach of the Razorbacks. Arkansas starting pitcher Gabe Gaeckle struggled out of the gate, but settled in as the innings went by and ended up ...Yahoo Sports - 25m -
Hobbs scores 18 points, Mount St. Mary's wins first MAAC Championship title with 63-49 win over Iona
Yahoo Sports - 26m -
Champions League qualification is the only positive Man City have left -- and they might miss it
Man City's awful season could end with one positive: qualification for next season's Champions League. But they are playing so poorly, they might not even get there.ESPN - 27m -
Ronald Acuna Jr. says he'll be more careful this season -- but no one believes him
From 40/70 to 40/30? The Braves' 2023 NL MVP is rehabbing with a plan to be stronger -- and healthier.ESPN - 27m