Rednilla

So far, Kessler is the MVP. That better? We're 2/3 of the way through the season. It's not too early for one MVP. Not when he COMPLETELY changes the game on the defensive side. However, there **is** still time for for someone else to join him. He's figuring it out, folks. I'm behind time on today's game, because I had a couple of issues earlier today so I've only seen the first 10 minutes of the first half. He might not have kept it up all game. But I doubt it.

I figured out a few minutes ago who Jabari's presence reminds me of. Barry Sanders. Absolute top class athlete. Humble as pie.

Well, I wouldn't count out winning the SEC Tournament, at least, because we'll still be good enough to get hot at the right time and knock off all comers (might take a little luck, but it could happen). Also, we'd still be a pretty tough out as long as we get at least one more quality big, even if Cardwell and Williams are the starters and he comes off the bench. Jaylin is, IMHO, easily the best backup 4 in the country right now. I would even venture to say there aren't more than 10-15 teams he wouldn't be a starter for. And Cardwell's energy is contagious. However, you are almost certainly correct that we won't be winning the SEC with just the roster we've got minus Jabari, Kessler, and Flan.

Flan is already getting back into game shape. He's not quite there yet, but I fully expect him to be by SEC Tourney time, while I don't expect Jabari to have figured out how good he can be because he can be *so* good. That's not to say we aren't going to see Jabari figure out some of how good he can be, because we will. More importantly, even if we *just* stay on the trajectory we're on, we're one of the 3 best teams in college basketball, no questions asked, and far more than just a legitimate threat to win it all. What I was saying is that if Jabari figures it out ahead of time, THERE IS NOT ONE SINGLE TEAM IN THIS COUNTRY (except maybe the Phoenix Suns) THAT CAN BEAT US without a ton of luck.

No we couldn't. We'll still have Dylan Cardwell and Jaylin Williams even if both of the starters down low leave, and they're pretty danged good. Now, we won't have backups to sub in like this year, probably, if both guys leave (though it's not impossible that Bruce could pull a rabbit out of his hat), but even as is, we're at least a Tournament team next season, too, barring injury.

To be completely honest, it kinda reminds me of Gus's comment about 6-4 being "pretty good." Who is he trying to convince? Himself? The fan base? Because anybody paying attention knows it's BS.

While I don't disagree with this sentiment, our style is pedal to the metal, and in order to play like that non-stop, it's difficult to have guys playing that many minutes. And considering that Jabari's backup is Jaylin Williams, the dropoff at the 4 is minimal. I don't believe there's a better 4 in the country than Jabari, but there aren't all that many who are better than Jaylin, either. Speaking of that, the fact that Jaylin was willing to step down from his starting spot, for the good of the team, rather than transferring, speaks volumes about that young man's humility, as well, not to mention being a testament to how much the kids who play for Bruce want to continue playing for Bruce.

Jabari is an incredibly special player on several different levels. Humility is one of them. If there is a flaw in his game, it's probably that he's too humble. He doesn't know how good he can be just yet, I don't believe. Probably isn't going to happen until he's in the NBA, either. But if he *does* figure out exactly how good he is by the end of the year, and learns to be just a little bit more the assertive team leader that he can be...well, we're already tough for anyone in the country to beat, but I think that would take us to another level.

Wait, he was seriously talking about the fact that we were selling standing room only tickets as if that was just because of Kentucky? Have there been home games that *weren't* sold out and standing room only yet this season? Now, I will say that I think it was a big game...but no bigger than the LSU game we opened the SEC slate with except for the fact that it was the game we won to push us up to #1. So, essentially, this is Calipari playing to his fan base and giving them more reason to thump their chests like they're still the biggest deal in the country, rather than showing a little class. I already didn't have much respect for the man, but if there was any, it's gone now.

Zep is the worst *offensive* player if you stacked all 10 together, sure, but the kid is dynamite defensively, which makes up for a lot of it. They aren't enough better at the 1 and 2 to overmatch our advantage at 3, 4, and 5, IMO.

It'd be pretty hard not to fall head over heels in love with Auburn if this past weekend was the official visit. I mean, it's an easy thing to do when there's nothing special going on, but with the whole atmosphere, especially for a basketball recruit to see what kind of home court advantage he'd be playing with...

Gotta give some props for quoting my favorite movie of all time, even though Scott (who is a friend of mine, don't misunderstand) doesn't quite live up to V's standards.

I rather doubt it. One of the selling points Coach Pearl had for Jabari and his dad was that the depth of the team would allow Pearl to limit the mileage on Jabari during his stay in college. And, truthfully, I think we're better with everyone rested as well as our depth allows us to rest.

What I was getting at is that he's more worried about the PBR he's got in his hand right now more than the 12 or so he drank yesterday...(You know I love ya, @augolf1716)

THIS. IS. AUBURN.

What do you mean, yesterday?

Coaches are also part of the politics. There's a reason the AP poll is the standard bearer, and not the Coaches' Poll.

Things keep going the way they have been, it's going to be Bruce Pearl Arena before too long.

(Oh, and I'd like to see more KD from the corner. He seems to like that spot.)

Enjoy the second half, folks. I'll be behind time so I can fast forward when I get frustrated.

All things considered, I'm happy with where we are at halftime. We're well within striking distance after playing something less than our best half of basketball, and if we can come out and clean it up, we can take them, especially without their superstar guard in the game. Long way to go, though, and we can't make too many more mistakes.

Hate to hear about anyone getting hurt, but I can't say I'm unhappy he won't be on the court.

Has TyTy come back into the game yet?

Meeting people and becoming part of a network are not the same thing. Had he come to Auburn (or any other school), he would have had connections that go a little deeper than just meeting someone and being able to say they talked for five minutes. That is not at all to say he should have gone to college instead, only to differentiate being on a team vs being part of a program.

That makes for a logical explanation, for sure.