It was an important game for the Auburn basketball team. After falling to No. 6 Florida over the weekend, the Tigers maintained their No. 1 ranking but were headed to Nashville for what was labeled a trap game.
Though Vanderbilt was 5-5 in conference play headed into the game, the Commodores had already beaten Tennessee and Kentucky, and many believed they could pull off a sneaky win on their home court. However, the Tigers dominated Vanderbilt and left Nashville with an 80-68 victory.
Three Auburn Tigers scored in double digits. Denver Jones posted 21, Chaney Johnson added 20, and Johni Broome contributed 17 points. Jones and Johnson stepped up in a big way for Head Coach Bruce Pearl, considering that Chad Baker-Mazara was scoreless and Miles Kelly scored only three points.
The Tigers now hold a 23-2 overall record, are 10-1 in conference play, and are undefeated in conference games on the road. Here is what the team had to say about the big win.
Denver Jones on the Tigers' success in the second half, per Auburn Rivals:
"Defense was the main thing that BP really stressed at halftime. He said we can't just keep exchanging buckets. So, basically, all five of us finally locked in and finally did well on defense."
Pearl on Chaney Johnson's performance, per Auburn Rivals:
“Chaney Johnson was rewarded as our hardest worker. “He is our hardest worker, all those moves down there at the basket. No one is in the gym more than Chaney Johnson, working on those moves, perfecting those moves. He obviously had an advantage on the inside and took full advantage, 9-for-10.”
Pearl on preparing for Vanderbilt, per Auburn Undercover:
"We were really good early. Vanderbilt is so good — there was not going to be one ounce of looking past Vanderbilt to Saturday. Not one. We haven't talked about the game at all — we will starting this week — because we respected Vanderbilt, the job Mark has done, and their players. They were 12-1 in here, and the fact that they play so very, very well, we obviously respected them."
Jones on preparing for the weekend matchup in Tuscaloosa, per Auburn Rivals:
“The way our team's designed, we just tell each other to focus on one game at a time, and when we get there, when we get to the scout, that's when we're worried about the next team. That's just what we're about to do now. We're about to get ready for Alabama come Thursday and come out with the W Saturday.”
The No. 1 Auburn basketball team will travel to Tuscaloosa this weekend to take on No. 2 Alabama.