Tennessee Basketball Takes on No. 1 Auburn in SEC Battle of the Year

The Vols will travel into the Jungle and try and do something no one else has done this year, knock off Auburn.

Saturday night brings one of the most anticipated matchups of the college basketball season as the sixth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers take on the top-ranked Auburn Tigers in a clash of SEC heavyweights.

With both teams fighting for conference supremacy and national recognition, this showdown has all the makings of a classic.

Tennessee enters the game riding high after a strong 68-56 win over No. 14 Mississippi State, fueled by a 23-point performance from Chaz Lanier. The Volunteers have made their mark this season with relentless defense, and an offense that scores 76.4 points per game.

Zakai Zeigler continues to be a key playmaker, averaging 7.6 assists and 2.1 steals, while Lanier has been on fire, putting up 17.7 points per game over his last 10 outings. If the Vols get the version of Lanier from the Arkansas or Mississippi State games, they will have a great chance to get a win at Auburn.

The Tigers, meanwhile, has been nearly unbeatable, boasting an 8-0 home record and leading the SEC in scoring at 85.7 points per game. The Tigers are powered by Johni Broome, a dominant force in the paint averaging 17.9 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game. However, he has been out with an ankle injury the last few games and is a game-time decision for the game Saturday night.

Auburn Tigers forward Johni Broome (4) pumps up the crowd as Auburn Tigers take on Mississippi State Bulldogs at Neville Arena in Auburn, Ala., on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. Auburn Tigers defeated Mississippi State Bulldogs 88-66. | Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

For Tennessee, this game represents an opportunity to prove they belong in the conversation as one of the best teams in the country. The Volunteers’ defense has been their calling card all season, but to leave The Jungle with a win, they’ll need to slow down a Tigers squad that thrives in transition and capitalizes on mistakes.

Zeigler’s leadership and Lanier’s scoring touch will be critical if Tennessee hopes to hand Auburn its first SEC loss. With or without Broome, Auburn is still the best team Tennessee has played all season.

With two of the SEC’s top programs squaring off, this game has implications that extend beyond the conference. It’s not just about the standings—it’s a chance for Tennessee to make a statement on a national stage and for Auburn to solidify its position as the premeire team in the country.

This could end up being an all-time classic if both teams come to play.

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