BASKETBALL
Well that was fun right up until the point that it wasn't anymore. Auburn stayed strong with Missouri and even led for a good bit of the second half, but let Mizzou end the game on a 9-0 run to take the 63-61 victory. If there's one highlight from the game to brighten your day it was the play of freshman TJ Lang. He's going to be something special.
The ladies begin SEC Tournament play tonight in Fayetteville, AR against Florida. Tip is at 6pm CDT. They are riding a three game winning streak into the tournament and are playing some good basketball.
BASEBALL
Keegan Thompson was straight dealing Ks with 12 on the night, and Trey Wingenter picked up his first career save as the Tigers knocked off the Tide 5-3 in the MAX Capital City Classic last night in Montgomery. The Tigers improved their record to 10-3 on the season, and have defeated some very good teams in Georgia Tech, Oklahoma State, and Alabama over the past week. There are still questions surrounding this team, but they are looking much better than pundits predicted in a pretty stacked conference, this season.
Now, can we never wear those hats again? I wear camouflage on a fairly regular basis as a Soldier. It's not a fashion statement. Digital camo is just hideous to begin with, but greyish and blue? No. Please no. Just... no.
FOOTBALL
ESPN's Chris Low lists Carl Lawson as one of the players in college football with the most to prove heading into 2015's spring practices. A healthy Lawson will definitely improve Auburn's pass rushing capability. All's not 100% for the defensive end yet, though. Lawson is cleared to practice, but could still be limited this spring.
Lawson isn't the only player likely to see limited action in the spring. Offensive Guard Alex Kozan - who missed 2014 with a back injury - will also likely be very limited in the reps he takes. Kozan is about as important to the success of Auburn's offensive line as Lawson is to the defensive line, so I think that's definitely the smart move.
Auburn's Pro Day was yesterday. You can read my brief recap of it here (now updated with the final numbers). Corey Grant's 40 yard dash stole the show, but Jeff Whitaker's 41 (FORTY. ONE.) reps on the bench press were just as impressive, and a number of other Tigers put up pretty good numbers to improve their draft stock.
Two Tigers from this past season are no longer with the team. Justin Hokanson of AuburnUndercover was the first to report it, but it was later confirmed by other beat writers that linebacker Anthony Swain and punter Jimmy Hutchinson are no longer with the team. Swain hurts as he was depth at a position the Tigers really need depth in. Hutchinson isn't as large a loss, as he never could see consistent time as the punter last season, and likely would not have this year, either. Both are still in school this semester, and Swain intends on focusing on his degree. To which I say "good for you, sir." We'll always have this to remember you by, too.
The wires at Toomer's Corner that were meant to be rolled in place of the trees have been permanently removed. The wires never really caught on in the first place. They didn't hold paper very well, and everyone just resorted to rolling every other tree in Samford Park. Hopefully Auburn fans will restrain themselves this coming season from rolling the new trees. Remember folks, #ProtectTheOaks.
If you haven't seen it already, Chadd Scott wrote a defense of the "Auburn Family" after an article in The Plainsman contended that the concept just didn't hit home with her.
Oh, and the SEC has released the 2015 Media Days schedule! Gus Malzahn will be first in the shoot following "The Commissioner," who is as yet unnamed with Mike Slive's pending retirement.