By Jay Coulter
jccoulter@gmail.com
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It’s always been like that and likely always will.
But that doesn’t mean we can’t get excited about basketball occasionally. Auburn’s Jeff Lebo is a hard coach to get a handle on.
He has more bad luck than Auburn running backs in the NFL. Lebo also has penchant for running players off at the wrong time.
But boy, he sure can coach.
Say what you will about this year’s Auburn team, but don’t say these guys can’t hustle. Watching Lebo’s group top 15th ranked Ole Miss was pure pleasure.
This ragtag group of undersized performers outplayed a bigger, more physical Rebel team on the way to an 80-77 win. It was only the second loss of the year for Ole Miss.
Don’t look now, but Auburn stands 11-5 overall and 2-2 in the conference. Who would have thought it three weeks ago?
Auburn has now won four of its last five games against ranked teams. They are starting to look like a Tommy Tuberville coached unit.
Only 24 hours ago the news seemed to be getting worse for the Tigers. Frank Tolbert suffered a sprained ankle in practice and was questionable for the game.
After today, let’s hope he sprains the other ankle. Tolbert responded to the injury by going 9 for 11 from the field and scoring 29 points.
Next up for the Tigers is Presbyterian College at home on Tuesday. That will be followed by a weekend visit to Tuscaloosa to face a struggling Alabama squad.
Auburn still faces a big up-hill battle in the SEC. They might not make it to the top, but they are sure taking us on a fun ride.