Exoneration

Dakota Sumpter/Auburn Athletics

In my lifetime, one constant has always been true: Any win against Kentucky basketball is a great win.

"I don't think either team played particularly well" Coach Bruce Pearl said in his post game  press conference. After starting 0 for 9 behind the 3 point line. The defense the Tigers exhibited kept the game very close. Once the shots started to drop with more regularity, Auburn battled back to take a 39-33 halftime lead.

I have been watching Auburn basketball many years. More often than I care to reiterate here, Auburn has lost those matchups.

Last night in front of a packed Auburn Arena Auburn Men's Basketball put on the gutsiest performance I have ever seen by any Auburn team. "The last 35 times Auburn has played Kentucky, 33 of those times, Kentucky has won." Pearl told his team. "What I talked to the team about was: How many of those players really didn't have a good chance to beat Kentucky.... Let's win this one, for all those lettermen."

That defense continued through the second half. "Our conditioning, our toughness, our resilience our grit. It's why we won the game." - Coach Bruce Pearl

Enjoy this bonus video footage of Auburn Royalty. Sir Charles Barkley

War Eagle!