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SEC Basketball: Buy or sell LSU, Auburn, Arkansas and Alabama?

By Trevor Sinodhinos

Nov 12, 2021; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers forward Jabari Smith (10) attempts a 3 point shot during the second half against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Auburn Arena. Smith led all scorers with 23 points. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2021; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers forward Jabari Smith (10) attempts a 3 point shot during the second half against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Auburn Arena. Smith led all scorers with 23 points. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Basketball Walker Kessler Auburn Tigers (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
NCAA Basketball Walker Kessler Auburn Tigers (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /

Auburn: Sell – Low yield

The day the Selection Committee reveals the Auburn Tigers as the second overall team in the nation, Head Coach Bruse Pearl and the SEC-leading Tigers lose a one-point game to Florida later that night.

Despite the loss to a top 40 team like the Gators, the Tigers were still No.10 in the NET thanks to victories versus Kentucky, LSU, and defeating Alabama twice. Those victories have contributed to their 7-3 record versus Quad 1 teams. The Tigers are still projected to be a No. 1 seed and are third on the Busting Brackets Power Rankings, thus making it the perfect time to sell high on the Auburn Tigers.

The Tigers are currently high for good reason, they have a well-rounded offense that is led by Jabari Smith who is averaging over 16 points in his first season. A major contributing factor to the 6’10 forward’s success is that he is playing in the frontcourt with Walker Kessler. At 7’1 Kessler not only draws the biggest defender, thus leaving Smith with a size advantage on a defender that he can shoot foul line jumpers over, but Kessler is also effective on the screen and roll where he receives a number of lobs or he draws the double team and kicks out.

Unfortunately, the Tigers are successful on just eight attempts from the three-point line for 32 percent. The inability to be at least decent from beyond the arc will hamper them as they progress in March and Kessler sees more and more double teams in the paint.

They have benefitted from the return of a healthy Allen Flanigan, but even his contribution and the ”think shot first’  mentality of Wendell Green – who is also third in the SEC in assists – is not enough to prevent the Tigers’ offense from getting stagnant during the 12 minutes Smith is not on the court. When one discounts Chandler Leopard and Babatunde Akingbola – who have combined for 10 shots on the season – the two worst field goal percentages belong to point guards Zep Jasper and Wendell Green.

While Auburn will capture the regular-season title, Kentucky has the makings to win the SEC tournament as Auburn might have to go through Arkansas in the semis, an opponent they already lost to in overtime this season. T

he Tigers may not even make it to the SEC Championship game, let alone make it to the Final Four when they would potentially have to defend Zach Edey, Kofi Cockburn, or David McCormack, a difficult feat when they have already surrendered 19 points to Colin Castleton, and 16 to Oscar Tshiebwe. Auburn can get to the Elite Eight, but are a must sell as a No. 1 seed.

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