No Sharife Cooper for the second game in a row but Auburn is trying to pull off the upset without its star point guard as the Tigers lead No. 25 Tennessee 34-30 at the half.
Here are some first half reactions, thoughts and analysis.
- One of my friends summed up the frustrating part of Auburn’s turnover problem in a text: “My issue with our turnovers is how bad they are …It’s not like it’s off guys’ fingertips .. oh no … we throw the ball three rows up or dribble off our legs like a 7th grader.” I couldn’t agree more. Also, that text might have been edited to omit some NSFW language.
- The officiating in the first half was bad on both sides of the floor. just brutal and interrupting any flow that the game got into.
- Allen Flanigan LOVES himself a heat check three even if it isn’t when he is on fire. Point in case? His 25-footer after he had a shot get counted for goaltending and missed the free throw.
- The defense for Auburn has been top notch during the first half, something Auburn desperately needs considering its struggle to put points on the board.
- Bruce Pearl must have the strongest vocal cords in the history of mankind. If I yelled like that for two hours, I wouldn’t be able to speak for days. Quite certain many of my friends would enjoy that.
- Speaking of yelling, Rick Barnes is an underrated yeller. He looks like a lawyer in a John Grisham novel and then goes postal.
- I don’t think Tennessee gets enough credit for fitting “Tennessee Volunteers” on the front of its uniforms. That is a lot of text and it doesn’t look busy at all.
- I think it is time we realize that Devan Cambridge is not a good shooter. Sorry, I had to say it.
- Phonz’s analysis right before halftime: “You can’t turn the ball over against Auburn.” Please, name me one team that you CAN turn the ball over against and be productive? I will wait.
- Maybe the stats won’t show it but Jaylin Williams has had a productive game so far, especially on the defensive end. That almost turnover near the end of the half? Not good.
- Auburn’s offensive rebounding has been great so far. It shows you some amazing effort from a team that sometimes lately hasn’t shown it.
- Neither of these teams are sharp shooters. It is a complete change from what we saw the last two years.