The Auburn basketball team lost just four games during the regular season, and one of those losses was handed to them by the Florida Gators. It was a tough game for the Tigers, and Florida dominated for essentially the entire 40 minutes.
Guard Walter Clayton Jr. was a big reason for the Gators' success over Auburn. He dropped 19 points— including four three-pointers— and had nine assists. A National Player of the Year finalist alongside Johni Broome, Clayton Jr. has arguably cemented himself as the best guard in college basketball this season.
Tomorrow, the Tigers will face Florida and Clayton Jr. once again, but the stakes will be much higher. The two SEC teams will face off in San Antonio for a chance to play for a national championship. One Auburn Tiger in particular is looking forward to a rematch against the Florida guard.
“I know the last game I really didn’t guard him the full game like I should have. This time, I’m going to try my hardest. Try to be better,” said Jones, per Auburn Rivals. “I take my matchups very seriously. I’m going to do my best to contain him.”
As one of the 10 finalists for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, no one is more prepared than Jones to take on Clayton Jr.
"Just a lot of effort and energy," Denver Jones said of what it will take to slow Clayton, per Auburn Undercover. "You can't give up, can't take a play off, honestly. Just making it real tough for them. I feel like if we do that, we can win the game."
“Clayton can't be the best player on the floor again for us to win the game,” added head coach Bruce Pearl.
The Tigers and the Gators will tipoff from San Antonio at 5:09 p.m. in the Final Four.