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Today on the Plains: Auburn Basketball vs. Alabama, NFL Combine, Etc.

By Nicholas Ian Allen

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Today on the Plains, the Auburn basketball team faces a “must win” game against hated rival Alabama.

The Tigers host the Tide tonight at 8PM at Auburn Arena, and a very important .500 record hangs in the balance – not only because it’s Alabama and not only because head coach Bruce Pearl has never had a losing season in 20 years as a college head coach. A win will also keep post-season hopes alive.

Jan 24, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers guard KT Harrell (1) drives to the bakset agaisnt the Alabama Crimson Tide at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

“Right now (the win at Georgia) makes this next game a must-win situation,” Pearl said during a Monday media session. “It is a rival game for us, but now it gets us to .500. It keeps us in the loop for post season as far as being above .500. … If we beat Alabama, we are at .500. You have to look at the rest of the games and say can we somehow win half of these games?”

Following tonight’s game, the Tigers travel to Lexington to play Kentucky at Rupp Arena. They host LSU and play Texas A&M on the road next week, followed by a trip to Missouri and the home finale against Georgia.

It’s a tough stretch, but finding a way to win enough games to reach a post-season tournament of some type is a big step in Pearl’s plans to build a foundation in his first year leading the Aubrurn basketball program.

“We need to build that foundation, make a mark and change the culture,” Pearl said. “At the end of the season we can look back and say we did that a few times, but this is not the end of the season. You have to beat Alabama if you are going to be able to build that foundation. You have to be able to beat your rival.”

Leading scorer K.T. Harrell, who is coming off a 22-point performance in the win over Georgia Saturday, shared his thoughts on tonight’s game.

“Being from Montgomery, it means a lot to be able to play against guys that I know from Alabama,” said Harrell. “Playing in this rivalry probably one last time, it means a lot and I want to definitely win.”

He also referred to the game as a “must win.”

“It is a must-win game,” Harrell said. “I don’t think that makes you put a lot more pressure on yourself; I just think that you got to go out there and execute and do all the things we talk about doing in preparation. And we do those things and focus on those things, I think we should win.”

NFL Combine Begins Today

The NFL Combine begins today in Indianapolis. Group one – kickers, special teamers, offensive linemen and tight ends – have orientation, interviews, pre-exam and X-rays, which means Reese Dismukes will be the first Auburn football player to participate.

Check out the full schedule for the week here.

Yesterday, NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock discussed a wide range of players that are scheduled to appear at the Combine, including Auburn wide receiver Sammie Coates, who received a second round grade because of his inconsistent hands.

Nick Marshall may or may not work out as a quarterback later this week at the Combine.

On Campus

Auburn hosts the 2015 SEC Swimming and Diving Championships, which begins today at the James E. Martin Aquatics Center and runs through Saturday.

The Tigers travel to Mobile for a midweek baseball matchup against the South Alabama Jaguars.

The Auburn gymnastics team is now ranked eighth nationally, which is the highest ranking in school history.

The Auburn women’s golf team is currently in eighth place after two rounds in the Lady Puerto Rico Classic.

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