Can Tennessee Make It Three Straight? Vols Eye Momentum Against Auburn in Key SEC Clash
Tennessee basketball is starting to look like a team finding its footing at just the right time. The Vols (14-6, 4-3 SEC) are coming off a pair of gritty road wins - first at No. 23 Alabama, then an overtime thriller at Georgia - and now return to Knoxville with a shot at building real momentum.
They’ve weathered some storms this season, including a tough loss to Kentucky and a blowout at Florida, but this recent stretch feels different. There’s a maturity showing in how they’ve handled adversity, especially on the road. Now, with Auburn coming to town, Tennessee has a chance to string together three straight SEC wins - something that could push them back into the top 25 and, more importantly, back into the national conversation.
But Auburn isn’t just rolling into Food City Center to play spoiler - they’re coming in hot. The Tigers (14-7, 5-3 SEC), now under the guidance of Steven Pearl - son of former Tennessee head coach Bruce Pearl - have rattled off four straight wins, including a statement victory over No.
21 Florida. That’s the same Florida squad that ran Tennessee off the floor in a 91-67 drubbing earlier this month.
Auburn also handled Texas at home in that stretch, showing they’re more than just a hot streak - they’re a team with growing confidence and a rising ceiling.
A big part of Auburn’s surge? Keyshawn Hall.
The forward has been electric in SEC play, opening with 84 points across his first three games. After a brief cold spell, he’s bounced back with another three-game stretch that’s seen him drop 74 points.
He was the driving force in the win over Texas, pouring in 31 points to go along with three boards and two assists. When Hall gets rolling, Auburn becomes a different team - one that can hang with just about anyone in the conference.
For Tennessee, the challenge is clear: keep Hall in check, protect home court, and continue building on the toughness they’ve shown over the past week. The Vols have been up and down this season, but when they’re locked in - especially defensively - they can hang with anyone. Their win over Alabama was a testament to that, and the overtime battle at Georgia showed they’re learning how to close out games, even when things get tight.
This matchup with Auburn isn’t just about streaks or rankings. It’s about identity.
Rick Barnes has said it himself: “We are who we are.” And right now, Tennessee is trying to figure out exactly what that means heading into the back half of the SEC schedule.
A win over a surging Auburn team would go a long way in answering that question.
Game Info:
- Matchup: Tennessee vs.
Auburn
- Date: Wednesday, Jan.
31
- Time: 8:30 p.m.
ET
- Location: Food City Center, Knoxville, TN
- TV: ESPN
What’s Ahead for Tennessee:
After Auburn, the Vols have a quick turnaround with Ole Miss coming to town on Feb. 3.
Then it’s back on the road for a rematch with Kentucky on Feb. 7 - a chance to avenge that narrow 80-78 loss from earlier this month. The schedule doesn’t ease up, with Mississippi State, LSU, and a non-conference showdown against Oklahoma all on the horizon.
But first things first: Auburn. Tennessee’s got a chance to make a statement. Let’s see if they’re ready to take it.