Auburn Basketball Loss at Tennessee Analysis | Auburn Basketball Podcast

Auburn basketball drops a tough one on the road against Tennessee, but this game said a lot more about where the Tigers are headed than the final score shows. Tennessee is one of the hottest teams in the SEC right now, and Auburn walked into a hostile environment and fought until the final whistle. That matters. The Tigers shot just 38 percent from the field and struggled mightily from three point range, finishing seven for 31. That was the difference in the game. Keyshawn Hall once again proved he is the engine that drives this team, pouring in 21 points and continuing to show he can score against elite SEC defenses. The issue remains finding that consistent second scorer. Chad Pettiford’s shooting slump continues, and while the numbers look rough, the context matters. Auburn does not have a true point guard on the roster, and Pettiford is being asked to run the offense while also creating his own shot. That is not his natural role, and it shows. Still, the coaching staff is right to keep letting him shoot because when those shots start falling, this team becomes extremely dangerous. Depth is another factor. Unlike last season, Auburn does not have the luxury of heavy bench production. When starters have an off night, there is not much margin for error. Kevin Overton and the frontcourt have delivered in big moments this season, but consistency is the next step. The encouraging part is the fight. Earlier in conference play, Auburn folded when punched in the mouth. That is not happening anymore. This team battled back, stayed connected, and showed growth. With Alabama and Vanderbilt coming up, Auburn has a real opportunity to finish strong. Everything is still in front of this team heading into Nashville. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices