AUBURN, Ala. – Before the Alabama game earlier this week, seniors Jaylin Williams and Allen Flanigan were reminiscing about their time together at Auburn.
"It feels like yesterday we were just freshmen," Williams said. "It flew by so fast."
Next Game:
Tennessee
March 4, 2023
1 p.m. CT
TV: ESPN
Radio: Auburn Sports Network
Williams and Flanigan arrived at Auburn in 2019 along with Babatunde Akingbola and walk-ons Lior Berman and Chandler Leopard. They have all played various roles in each of the last four seasons, experiencing highs and lows along the way. On Saturday, the group will be recognized on Senior Day in what could be their final home game at Neville Arena.
"Al and Jaylin Williams will go down as two of the winningest players that have played here at Auburn," Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl said. "Part of a program that made history. Just to watch them both grow up and mature and develop and be loyal to Auburn.
"It's a great group (of seniors). A great group we get a chance to honor tomorrow."
"It will be a very emotional day," added Williams. "Al and I have been here the same amount of years. We came in at the same time. It's going to be crazy just to see each other walk across that stage. The other guys got here at the same time, too. We've been on so many different teams together. We've just been through so much together."
Senior guard Zep Jasper will also be recognized Saturday. Jasper didn't come in with the others. He was a graduate transfer from Charleston. But now in his second year on the Plains, he's become as much a part of the Auburn Family as the others.
"I love Auburn," Jasper said. "The community, the fans, friends, everyone. To go out with a win against a great Tennessee team, it would be exciting for me. I cherish so many moments here just in two years. It just means so much to me to have people that have your back. Auburn will always have a special place in my heart.
"One thing I want to go out with is a bang, and that's to get a win."
Beating No. 12 Tennessee would be the perfect send-off for those seniors. More importantly, it would clinch Auburn's spot in the NCAA Tournament and give those seniors a chance to once again compete in March Madness and possibly make a run.
"We know coming in that this is a must-win game," Jasper said. "It's a game that we need all our fans at the arena. This is a game that could lock us in to the NCAA Tournament. We need everyone. From kids to grown-ups, we need everyone on their feet tomorrow."
Auburn and Tennessee will tip off at 1 p.m. CT from Neville Arena. Andy Burcham and Sonny Smith will have the radio call on 93.9 Tiger FM, online at AuburnTigers.com and on the TuneIn app. The game will be televised on ESPN.
PLAYER TO WATCH: JOHNI BROOME
Sophomore big man Johni Broome has made an immediate impact this season. He has scored in double figures in each of his last five games and 11 of 12 overall. In SEC play, Broome is averaging a team-best 15.0 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. He is one of eight SEC players currently ranked in the top 15 in both scoring (13th) and rebounding (2nd). He is also tied for fifth among active career Division I leaders in double-doubles with 45.
INSIDE THE SERIES: TENNESSEE
Tennessee leads 80-44 in the all-time series with Auburn and won the first meeting between the two sides, earning a 46-43 win in Knoxville on Feb. 4. The Tigers, however, have won the last three games in Auburn, including a 77-72 upset victory over No. 25 Tennessee in 2021. Allen Flanigan scored a game-high 23 points that day and was one of five Tigers to score in double figures. Auburn is 30-24 all-time when playing the Vols at home.
SEEDING FOR SEC TOURNAMENT
Auburn is currently in seventh place in the latest league standings. If Missouri, Vanderbilt and Auburn all win on Saturday, the Tigers would be the No. 7 seed in the SEC Tournament. If Missouri and Vanderbilt lose and Auburn wins, the Tigers would be the No. 6 seed (having beaten Mizzou during the regular season). Auburn can fall no further than seventh even with a loss to Tennessee on Saturday.
SENIOR TRIBUTE
The Tigers will honor six seniors, Allen Flanigan, Jaylin Williams, Zep Jasper, Babatunde Akingbola, Lior Berman and Chandler Leopard, and two managers, Harrison Holland and Davis Savoy, before Saturday's game as a part of Senior Day.
This year's senior class will go down as one of the all-time winningest in school history helping the Tigers compile 85 victories, win an SEC regular season championship title and earn the program's first ever No. 1 national ranking.