2009 SEC Tournament Preview: Florida Vs Auburn

2009 SEC Tournament Quarterfinals Preview - Florida vs Auburn. The Florida Gators (22-9) take on Auburn Tigers (21-10) in the SEC quarterfinal night game on Friday March 13th. The Tigers come into the game having won eight of their last nine games and are one of the hottest teams in the SEC. The Gators enter the game having won two games in a row after defeating Arkansas in the first round of the SEC tournament. The last meeting between these two teams was in January when the Gators won 75-72 over the Tigers. Since that game, Florida has been a lackluster 8-7 whereas the Tigers have been 11-4 since that meeting.

2009 SEC Tournament Preview - Auburn

If Auburn can defeat the Florida Gators, the Tigers would tie the 2002-03, 1985-86, and 1984-85 teams for the third most victories in the school's history. The most was 29 set by the 1998-99 team. The Tigers have relied on defense and a balanced offensive attack to come back into the NCAA-bid hunt after what seemed to be a loss of a season earlier in the year. Guard, DeWayne Reed, leads the team in scoring at 13.1 ppg, with forward Korvotney Barber close behind at 12.8 ppg and 9.8 rbg, and guard Tay Waller pitching in with 12.4 ppg. To have a realistic shot at the NCAA tournament. The Tigers will need to shut-down the Gators perimeter game in order to win this game.

2009 SEC Tournament Preview - Florida

Although Florida is only 2-3 in their last 5 games, they have won their last two games...without Nick Calathes scoring at or above his average! They are going to need a big game out of Calathes to beat Auburn in this quarterfinal matchup. In their last meeting when the Gators were 15-2, the Gators were clicking much better as a team and will need to get back to that form to have a shot at the 2009 SEC Tournament semi-finals.

2009 SEC Tournament Preview - Prediction

This is going to be one of the best games to watch in the 2009 SEC Tournament quarterfinals. Two teams with significantly differing styles of play, this game will come down to tempo. Whichever team controls the transition game and second chance points will advance to the semi-finals. Although Florida has been coming along, Auburn has just been too hot to not pick in this game. Final score prediction: Auburn Tigers 68 - Florida Gators 64.

Refs:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290140002
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/clubhouse?teamId=57
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/clubhouse?teamId=2
http://www.collegehoopsvideo.com/florida-gators/
http://www.collegehoopsvideo.com