SEC Basketball: Auburn vs. Tennessee Showdown for 2019 SEC Championship

(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

How the Vols Takedown Auburn

Tennesse has a point to prove in this title game. This time last year the Vols fell to Kentucky in the title game and couldn’t close. Now the Vols took down the Wildcats in the semi-final game and have to get through Auburn.

The last time these two teams played Auburn gave the Vols everything it had and defeated them 84-80. Tennessee had four players score at least 13 points in the regular season finale, but it wasn’t enough to hold off the Tigers.

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Grant Williams, Jonathan Bone, Jordan Bowden and Admiral Schofield each scored at least 13 points.

The Vols out-rebounded the Tigers, but what sealed the deal for Auburn was its three-point shooting.

Auburn made 13 3-pointers to Tennessee’s nine. The two teams combined for 62 attempts from the arc. Look for similar numbers in the rematch.

Tennessee must find a way to guard the arc better than it has all season long.

If the Vols can hold the Tigers to fewer than eight three-pointers, then Tennessee should win with ease.

Williams needs to keep doing what he has done all season long.

He needs to score points, draw fouls, and help assist his teammates in getting them in positions to score.

Williams is one of the best players, if not the best player in the SEC. He proved that by winning his second-consecutive SEC Player of the Year. Williams already has solidified his career at Tennesse, but one thing is missing still.

An SEC Tournament Title is missing on William’s impressive resume. This game is crucial to him and his teammates. He will leave it all on the court and will give Auburn everything he has. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him light up the court and put on a show.

Tennessee needs to do its thing and handle its business. It has been 40 years since the Vols last title, and now they have one within their grasps. However, if Tennessee wants the No. 1 NCAA Tournament seed, it must defeat Auburn handily and show dominance.

Auburn and Tennessee faceoff with each other for all the SEC marbles on ESPN.  Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Once the SEC crowns its champion, March Madness can officially begin. Selection Sunday festivities begin once all conference championships finish.

The SEC will potentially have seven teams in the NCAA Tournament. Three of those teams could end up as one of the top three seeds in their regions.