The Auburn Tigers clinched a spot in the SEC Tournament Championship game Saturday afternoon with a 65-62 victory over Florida in the semifinals. The game ended in typical dramatic Auburn fashion, but not without controversy of course.
In his pregame locker room speech, Bruce Pearl told his team to put on a show which is exactly what they did for all the Kentucky and Tennessee ticket holders in attendance on Saturday. Throughout the game the lead changed 6 times. With Florida shooting lights out and Auburn dominant in forcing turnovers, it wasn’t until 13 seconds left in the game that Auburn had an edge in winning.
And here’s why:
https://twitter.com/DFSBBallGuy/status/1106990943272460288
Jared Harper has ice in his veins and if he gets to pick his shot within 45 degrees he’s money.
Former Auburn running back Kerryon Johnson said it best:
JAREEEEDDDDDDDDD HE DOESNT HAVE A CONSCIENCE!!!!!!!!!
— Kerryon Johnson (@CoachKerryon) March 16, 2019
Alright now bear with me, this stuff is about to get CRAZY crazy.
After Harper sank this beautiful jumper, Florida’s Jalen Hudson made a lay up cutting Auburn’s lead to 2. Hudson then fouled Harper with 6 seconds left sending Harper to the line. Harper made one free throw, but missed the other extending Auburn’s lead to 3. Florida’s Keyontae Johnson then rebounded the ball and passed it to Hudson who then passed it to Andrew Nembhard.
What happens next has many Florida fans ready to arrive in jorts on Commissioner Sankey’s doorstep at 3 AM.
No foul called when Auburn was intentionally trying. Egregious missed call. pic.twitter.com/vmNwArXOcY
— Aaron Herbst (@AaronHerbst2) March 16, 2019
There are countless different opinions on what happened here, but there is only 1 fact. Opinions will be debunked in search of the facts.
The most popular opinion among Florida fans was that Nembhard was fouled mid-shot on a 3 point play and deserves 3 shots at the line.
The most popular opinion among Auburn fans was that Nembhard traveled, the ball was dead, and it should’ve been called a turnover.
Despite many claiming that Nembhard traveled, he actually only took two steps after his last dribble before setting his feet to get the shot off. Less than 24 hours after watching Nembhard sink a last second triple to knock out LSU, Auburn placed 3 men on him with the intention that one of them would foul him before he ever got a shot off.
And Auburn did.
Auburn’s J’von McCormick does a great job at fouling Nembhard by grabbing his arm before his feet were even set, but because the foul occurred while the ball is on the floor it would be a 1 and 1 situation allowing for Florida to only obtain 2 points at max.
It was a missed foul, but it wasn’t going to impact the result of the game.
Controversy aside, Auburn forced 19 turnovers and capitalized on their 3 point game. Jared Harper and Bryce Brown both combined for 31 of Auburn’s 65 points and when those two are on fire this Auburn team can unleash chaos on anyone.
I just want someone to look at me the way Bryce Brown looks at Jared Harper. #WDE pic.twitter.com/VMCTO0B8rE
— Young Harleezy 🔜 Lost Lands 🦖 (@WOWNowThatsMe) March 15, 2019
Florida coach Mike White credited Jared Harper’s efforts in the post game saying “I thought that Jared Harper was amazing. I thought that we made a few mistakes, but we were pretty good defensively. They’re that good offensively.” White also credited Auburn’s defense by saying “it was the turnovers that ultimately cost us.” High praise indeed.
By clinching this win, Auburn punches their ticket to their first SEC tournament championship appearance since 2000. Bruce Pearl is adamant that Auburn is not just a top 25 team, but a top 25 program as well and after suffering through the Lebo and Barbee years, I am a believer.
Auburn will face off Sunday afternoon against the Tennessee Volunteers in the SEC Men’s Basketball Championship game.