Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Who will dethrone Kentucky?
FAYETTEVILLE — A burst of regular-season SEC dominance by Kentucky will come to an end this weekend, with only leagueleading No. 14 Auburn and No. 16 Tennessee in position to win the SEC regularseason championship.
Auburn (24-5, 12-4), in year four under Coach Bruce Pearl, has a onegame lead over the Vols (21-7, 11-5) with two games to play. The Tigers, who have won SEC regular-season championships in 1960 and 1999, are seeking their first crown in 19 years.
Tennessee has won or shared eight SEC regularseason championships, the last in 2008.
Kentucky has won or shared the past three regular-season titles and has won the past three SEC Tournament crowns.
In the eight years since LSU won the 2009 title, only three teams have won it. Kentucky has won four outright titles in those eight seasons and shared the 2016 championship with Texas A&M. Florida won the other three championships, in 2011, 2013 and 2014.
Auburn plays Arkansas at Walton Arena tonight at 8 in its second opportunity to clinch at least a share of the title. The Tigers lost 72-66 at Florida on Saturday in their first shot. The Gators have won 11 in a row and 20 of the past 21 in that series.
“We’ve got a great locker room,” Pearl said. “You can see the difference. We’re not the most talented team in this league, but we’ve brought it every night. And we’ve found ways to scrap and win and do different things.
“But we’re talented enough. And I think to survive this season this year in this league – you look at some of the teams that are in the lower half of our league — it’s incredible how good they are.”
Auburn closes the regular season against South Carolina at Auburn Arena on Saturday looking to avenge one of its conference losses.
Tennessee faces Mississippi State on the road tonight at 6, so Auburn should know the result of that game before tipoff at Walton Arena. The Volunteers finish up at home against Georgia on Saturday.
Tennessee Coach Rick Barnes was informed Monday this is the ninth Tennessee team to win 21 games.
“I didn’t know that,” Barnes said. “To be honest with you, I don’t know if I get too caught up in it. I just want this team to max out and be the best team they can be. You want to be a team that’s relevant every year.”