'The stage is set': Auburn ready for Sweet 16 showdown

'The stage is set': Auburn ready for Sweet 16 showdown'The stage is set': Auburn ready for Sweet 16 showdown
Wade Rackley/Auburn Athletics

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Auburn's workout and media session had just ended. North Carolina's would soon be starting. Roy Williams approached Bruce Pearl in the Sprint Center hallway.

"Brucey, how's the knee?" asked the Tar Heels coach. The head coaches exchanged pleasantries Thursday, one day before they'll meet for the right to advance to the Elite 8.

"It's certainly going to be one of [the biggest games in Auburn history]," Pearl said to reporters, minutes before his visit with Williams. "What's at stake, the opportunity, and playing against such an historic program as North Carolina, obviously the stage is set." 

Auburn practiced Thursday morning for an hour and 45 minutes on the eve of Friday's matchup, the Tigers' first Sweet 16 appearance in 16 years.

The Tar Heels, with a roster loaded with McDonald's All-Americans and an arena filled with six national championship banners. The Tigers, with one previous Elite 8 appearance, a chip on their shoulder and a mentality straight out of the opening lines of the Auburn Creed.

"You look at the rankings of the kids coming out of high school, you realize that anything is possible," Pearl said. "Hard work won't guarantee you success, but without hard work, I guarantee you won't have success. It's your choice. Our kids have chosen to work hard and as a result they feel prepared because they've lived in the gym. That work ethic has carried us a long way in this tournament."

True to their identity, the Tigers were focused but loose during Thursday's workout, running through the sets they expect to encounter while also competing against each other in shooting drills.

"Play fast, we shoot 3s, and we like to force turnovers," said Anfernee McLemore. "We're not nervous at all. At the end of the day, we're both playing basketball. We're not playing the Los Angeles Lakers, so there's no reason to be afraid of these guys. We played Duke earlier in the season.

"We're locked into our game plan. We think we have a really solid game plan. We're going to run with them. We're not shying down from them. We know they'll play fast, but we want to play faster. It's going to be a fast-paced game."

Auburn brings a 10-game winning streak into the Sweet 16, including last week's 89-75 victory over fellow blue blood Kansas, a performance that impressed Williams.

"It was scary, there's no question about that. When they're making shots like they did in the first half against Kansas, it's hard to beat them," Williams said. "That pace is hard to handle if they're making shots like they did. We better get out and guard them. Don't turn it over and don't take bad shots."

Bryce Brown did much of the damage against the Jayhawks, scoring 25 points while shooting 7-for-11 on 3-pointers, earning another high-profile opportunity.

"Against a blueblood school. They're a No. 1 seed," Brown said. "It will be a great test for Auburn, playing against a top-notch program like this will mean a lot for us and we're going to try to take advantage of it by playing hard from the get-go. Defense, offensively, moving the ball. All of that will be key."

Auburn (28-9) plays North Carolina (27-6) Friday at 6:29 p.m. CT on TBS and the Auburn Sports Network.

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer