Tom Slater came into this season facing a likely make-or-break season as Auburn's baseball coach, and it's breaking the wrong way.
Auburn is 11-8, having suffered a four-game sweep against Florida State earlier this season and a three-game sweep at Florida over the weekend. That covers the seven games Auburn has played against SEC-level competition.
This despite three straight top-20 recruiting classes and a revamping of Slater's staff that brought former New York Yankees farm boss Bill Mosiello to campus.
Slater is in his fourth season as Auburn's head coach. He presided over Auburn's last postseason appearance in the 2005 NCAA Tallahassee Regional, but Auburn has not qualified for the SEC Tournament since 2003.
Auburn athletics director Jay Jacobs felt the need to offer Slater a vote of confidence last season. This as Auburn faltered in SEC play after and 18-3 preconference run.
The Tigers started 0-8 in conference play last year, and they're 0-3 this year with undefeated Kentucky coming to Plainsman Park this weekend.
Slater needs something positive to happen, and the sooner the better, but a once-promising team is starting to look flawed.
-- The starting rotation, minus injured Paul Burnside, has gone through an almost total turnover since the start of the season. The starters lasted 10 1/3 total innings in three games at Florida.
-- Auburn starts five freshmen ... talented freshmen, but freshmen.
-- Auburn averaged 3.7 runs in its seven losses to Florida State and Florida, and the Tigers' .300 team batting average ranks next to last in the SEC.
-- Auburn has stranded 153 base runners this season (8.1 a game), more than half of the team's 295 total base runners.
A lot of games remain, and Slater can show progress with an SEC tourney and/or NCAA berth. Middle-of-the-road SEC teams usually get both.
We shall see.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Sunrise and shine (or not)
I discovered just what Tommy Tuberville meant by "Sunrise Scrimmage" when I rolled into Auburn so very, very early Thursday morning.
I've been in Auburn way after dark. I can think of a couple of 8 p.m. football games that went into overtime ... one that went into three overtimes.
I've also been in Auburn during many sunrises ... just none that I saw before Thursday.
I left for Auburn at 4:30 a.m., and special thanks to Led Zeppelin for keeping me awake while en route. There's no cure for heavy eyes quite like the Immigrant Song. Kashmir works, too.
Following Kashmir on my compilation CD is Ten Years Gone, which launched me deep into reflection. A working mind keeps the eyes open, and the lyrics work the mind:
I never get tired of hearing it, but I digress.
I rolled into town about 6:30 and was heartened to see that Auburn University had left a light on for me. The lights of Jordan-Hare Stadium illuminated an otherwise dark sky.
I was also heartened to find lots of available parking spaces at the Athletics Complex, but a worrisome thought occurred. What if the complex is locked?
I wanted to set up in the media workroom before going to the stadium, after all.
Worry solved! I saw kicker Wes Byrum walking toward the complex, and he showed me an unlocked door. All's good.
There was no receptionist in the lobby. Brenda probably wasn't even awake yet, let alone at work.
I passed lots of darkened offices and hoofed it down the long, dark hallway to the media workroom (which doubles as the staff break room) and set up.
On the way back out, I saw Sports Info Director Kirk Sampson in his office. I sat down and chatted with him while he worked. We talked Auburn stuff, dad stuff and just general stuff before heading off to the stadium together.
The sky had lightened by the time we got into Jordan-Hare. Once the scrimmage started, the sun was peaking over the East-side second deck.
Therein was the advantage to covering a scrimmage so early in the day. We got direct sunlight on the perch from which scribes and sports-info folks normally watch these things. It warmed us on an otherwise chilly morning.
From there, I had Tony Franklin's no-huddle offense to keep me awake while I kept play-by-play.
After a 100-play scrimmage, I did on-field interviews, blogged, wrote for the paper and had lunch with my buds. Then I was on my way home ... which brings up another advantage to Sunrise Scrimmages. Once back in Oxford, I had lots of day left.
My wife and near-2-year-old son appreciated that, though I'm still trying to figure out how it was that SHE got to take the nap.
I've been in Auburn way after dark. I can think of a couple of 8 p.m. football games that went into overtime ... one that went into three overtimes.
I've also been in Auburn during many sunrises ... just none that I saw before Thursday.
I left for Auburn at 4:30 a.m., and special thanks to Led Zeppelin for keeping me awake while en route. There's no cure for heavy eyes quite like the Immigrant Song. Kashmir works, too.
Following Kashmir on my compilation CD is Ten Years Gone, which launched me deep into reflection. A working mind keeps the eyes open, and the lyrics work the mind:
Blind stars of fortune, each have several rays
On the wings of maybe, down in birds of prey
Kind of makes me feel sometimes, didn't have to grow
But as the eagle leaves the nest, it's got so far to go
I never get tired of hearing it, but I digress.
I rolled into town about 6:30 and was heartened to see that Auburn University had left a light on for me. The lights of Jordan-Hare Stadium illuminated an otherwise dark sky.
I was also heartened to find lots of available parking spaces at the Athletics Complex, but a worrisome thought occurred. What if the complex is locked?
I wanted to set up in the media workroom before going to the stadium, after all.
Worry solved! I saw kicker Wes Byrum walking toward the complex, and he showed me an unlocked door. All's good.
There was no receptionist in the lobby. Brenda probably wasn't even awake yet, let alone at work.
I passed lots of darkened offices and hoofed it down the long, dark hallway to the media workroom (which doubles as the staff break room) and set up.
On the way back out, I saw Sports Info Director Kirk Sampson in his office. I sat down and chatted with him while he worked. We talked Auburn stuff, dad stuff and just general stuff before heading off to the stadium together.
The sky had lightened by the time we got into Jordan-Hare. Once the scrimmage started, the sun was peaking over the East-side second deck.
Therein was the advantage to covering a scrimmage so early in the day. We got direct sunlight on the perch from which scribes and sports-info folks normally watch these things. It warmed us on an otherwise chilly morning.
From there, I had Tony Franklin's no-huddle offense to keep me awake while I kept play-by-play.
After a 100-play scrimmage, I did on-field interviews, blogged, wrote for the paper and had lunch with my buds. Then I was on my way home ... which brings up another advantage to Sunrise Scrimmages. Once back in Oxford, I had lots of day left.
My wife and near-2-year-old son appreciated that, though I'm still trying to figure out how it was that SHE got to take the nap.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Stats from Auburn's Thursday football scrimmage
RUSHING (Att.-Yds.-TDs): FB Mike Gibson (5-19-0), QB Neil Caudle (9-9-0), RB Davis Hooper (6-8-1), FB Ryan Hastie (2-1-0), QB Kodi Burns (9--3-1), QB Chris Todd (7--57-0).
PASSING (Comp.-Att.-Yds.-TDs-Int.): QB Chris Todd (17-25-168-3-0), QB Neil Caudle (10-14-142-3-0), QB Kodi Burns (7-19-122-2-1).
RECEIVING (Rec.-Yds-TDs): WR Charles Olatunji (5-79-0), WR Montez Billings (5-42-1), TE Tommy Trott (4-90-2), SR Terrell Zachery (4-46-2), WR Rod Smith (3-29-0), WR Chris Slaughter (2-27-1), FB Mike Gibson (2-25-0), WR Quindarius Carr (2-22-1), WR James Swinton (2-16-0), RB Davis Hooper (1-30-1), TE Gabe McKenzie (1-28-0), WR John Cubelic (1-5-0), FB Ryan Hastie (1-0-0).
TACKLES: LB Chris Evans 11, LB Josh Bynes 10, LB Courtney Harden 8, DT Sen'Derrick Marks 6, CB Aairon Savage 5, CB Ryan Williams 4, S Zac Etheridge 4, S Jonathan Vickers 4, DL Ryan Burse 4, DE A.J. Greene 4, DT Mike Blanc 3, LB Craig Stevens 3, DE Michael Goggans 3, LB Tray Blackmon 3, LB Merrill Johnson 3, CB Walter McFadden 3, S Mike Slade 3, DE Luke Farmer 3, DE Antoine Carter 2, CB Jerraud Powers 1, DT Zach Clayton 1, S Michael McNeil 1
PASSING (Comp.-Att.-Yds.-TDs-Int.): QB Chris Todd (17-25-168-3-0), QB Neil Caudle (10-14-142-3-0), QB Kodi Burns (7-19-122-2-1).
RECEIVING (Rec.-Yds-TDs): WR Charles Olatunji (5-79-0), WR Montez Billings (5-42-1), TE Tommy Trott (4-90-2), SR Terrell Zachery (4-46-2), WR Rod Smith (3-29-0), WR Chris Slaughter (2-27-1), FB Mike Gibson (2-25-0), WR Quindarius Carr (2-22-1), WR James Swinton (2-16-0), RB Davis Hooper (1-30-1), TE Gabe McKenzie (1-28-0), WR John Cubelic (1-5-0), FB Ryan Hastie (1-0-0).
TACKLES: LB Chris Evans 11, LB Josh Bynes 10, LB Courtney Harden 8, DT Sen'Derrick Marks 6, CB Aairon Savage 5, CB Ryan Williams 4, S Zac Etheridge 4, S Jonathan Vickers 4, DL Ryan Burse 4, DE A.J. Greene 4, DT Mike Blanc 3, LB Craig Stevens 3, DE Michael Goggans 3, LB Tray Blackmon 3, LB Merrill Johnson 3, CB Walter McFadden 3, S Mike Slade 3, DE Luke Farmer 3, DE Antoine Carter 2, CB Jerraud Powers 1, DT Zach Clayton 1, S Michael McNeil 1
Passing, passing and more passing
AUBURN -- With all of its name-brand running backs sitting out, Auburn had a 100-play passing scrimmage Thursday morning in Jordan-Hare Stadium, featuring Chris Todd's first scrimmage action at quarterback.
Todd, who has missed most of spring practice because of weakness in his right (throwing) shoulder, was the third quarterback in the game but looked capable of challenging for the starting job. He threw touchdown passes of 10 yards to Chris Slaughter, 10 yards to Tommy Trott and three yards to Montez Billings.
Todd had team-highs of 17 completions, 25 attempts and 168 yards. He tied Neil Caudle's thre touchdown passes and had no interceptions.
Caudle was 10-for-14 for 142 yards and three scores with no interceptions.
Kodi Burns dropped off from his first-scrimmage showing, going 7-for-19 for 122 yards and two scores and one interception.
In other quick notes of interest:
-- Former Wadley wide receiver Terrell Zachery caught touchdown passes of eight yards from Burns and 25 yards from Caudle. Zachery caught four passes for 46 yards.
-- Trott caught two touchdown passes, including a 40-yarder from Caudle. Trott had four catches for a team-high 90 yards.
-- Starting running backs Brad Lester and Ben Tate sat out of the scrimmage. Lester is not injured, Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said; the coaches just wanted to emphasize the quarterbacks. Tate (hamstring) worked out on the stadium steps.
-- Running back/receiver Mario Fannin will undergo surgery on his dislocated left shoulder Tuesday, Tuberville said. Fannin hurt the shoulder in Auburn's March 1 scrimmage and will miss the rest of spring practice.
-- Starting offensive guard Chaz Ramsey (back) sat out of the scrimmage. He had an epidural to curtail inflammation.
Todd, who has missed most of spring practice because of weakness in his right (throwing) shoulder, was the third quarterback in the game but looked capable of challenging for the starting job. He threw touchdown passes of 10 yards to Chris Slaughter, 10 yards to Tommy Trott and three yards to Montez Billings.
Todd had team-highs of 17 completions, 25 attempts and 168 yards. He tied Neil Caudle's thre touchdown passes and had no interceptions.
Caudle was 10-for-14 for 142 yards and three scores with no interceptions.
Kodi Burns dropped off from his first-scrimmage showing, going 7-for-19 for 122 yards and two scores and one interception.
In other quick notes of interest:
-- Former Wadley wide receiver Terrell Zachery caught touchdown passes of eight yards from Burns and 25 yards from Caudle. Zachery caught four passes for 46 yards.
-- Trott caught two touchdown passes, including a 40-yarder from Caudle. Trott had four catches for a team-high 90 yards.
-- Starting running backs Brad Lester and Ben Tate sat out of the scrimmage. Lester is not injured, Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said; the coaches just wanted to emphasize the quarterbacks. Tate (hamstring) worked out on the stadium steps.
-- Running back/receiver Mario Fannin will undergo surgery on his dislocated left shoulder Tuesday, Tuberville said. Fannin hurt the shoulder in Auburn's March 1 scrimmage and will miss the rest of spring practice.
-- Starting offensive guard Chaz Ramsey (back) sat out of the scrimmage. He had an epidural to curtail inflammation.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Auburn pro day numbers
Monday marked Auburn’s Pro Day, with NFL scouts putting Auburn’s NFL hopefuls through their paces. Some players who participated in the NFL Combine in Indianapolis stood on their combine numbers in some categories.
Here’s how Auburn players who participated in Monday’s Pro Day fared:
TE Cole Bennett (6-4 ¾, 255 pounds)
Vertical leap: 29.5 feet
Long jumps: 9 feet, 11 inches and 10-2
Bench press: 225 pounds at 23 reps
40-yard dash times: 4.77 and 4.54 seconds
Short-shuttle 3-cone time: 7.46 seconds.
S Eric Brock (6-0 204)
Vertical leap: 36 and 37 inches
Long jump: 9 feet, 7 inches
Bench press: 225 pounds at 13 reps
40-yard dash times: 4.70 and 4.63 seconds
Short-shuttle 3-cone time: 7.43 seconds
OT King Dunlap (6-8 ¼, 311)
Vertical leap: 30 inches
Long jump: N/A
Bench press: 225 pounds at 20 reps
40-yard dash times: 5.26 and 5.00 seconds
Short-shuttle 3-cone time: 8.05 seconds
CB Zack Gilbert (5-9 187)
Vertical leap: 34 and 36.5 inches
Long jump: 9 feet, 11 inches and 10-1.5
Bench press: 225 pounds at 17 reps
40-yard dash times: 4.57 and 4.39 seconds
Short-shuttle 3-cone time: 6.90 seconds
DE/LB Quentin Groves (249 pounds)
Vertical leap: 34.5 and 35 inches
Note: Groves stood mainly on combine numbers.
CB Patrick Lee (196 pounds)
Vertical leap: 35 inches
Long jump: 9 feet, 8 inches; 9 feet, 9 inches
40-yard dash times: 4.51 and 4.42 seconds
Short-shuttle 3-cone time: 6.88 seconds
WR Prechae Rodgriquez (6-4, 207)
Vertical leap: 35 inches
Bench press: 225 pounds at 8 reps
40-yard dash times: 4.64 and 4.44 seconds
Short-shuttle 3-cone time: 7.16 seconds
DT, Pat Sims (305 pounds)
Vertical leap: 29.5 and 30.5 inches
Long jump: 7 feet, 9 inches; 7-11
40-yard dash time: 4.80 seconds
Short-shuttle 3-cone time: 7.67 seconds
FB Carl Stewart (6-1 1/8, 231)
Vertical leap: 38 and 39.5 inchesLong jump: 10 feet, 1 inch
Bench press: 225 pounds at 24 reps
40-yard dash times: 4.69 and 4.54 seconds
Short-shuttle 3-cone time: 7.40 seconds
DT Josh Thompson (5-11 ¼, 304)
Vertical leap: 28 and 28.5 inches
Long jump: 7 feet, 9 inches
40-yard dash times: 5.34 and 4.72 seconds
Short-shuttle 3-cone time: 7.76 seconds
CB Jonathan Wilhite (187 pounds)
Vertcial leap: 35 inches
Long jump: 9 feet, 9.5 inches; 10-0
40-yard dash: 4.42 seconds
Short-shuttle 3-cone: 7.17 seconds
Here’s how Auburn players who participated in Monday’s Pro Day fared:
TE Cole Bennett (6-4 ¾, 255 pounds)
Vertical leap: 29.5 feet
Long jumps: 9 feet, 11 inches and 10-2
Bench press: 225 pounds at 23 reps
40-yard dash times: 4.77 and 4.54 seconds
Short-shuttle 3-cone time: 7.46 seconds.
S Eric Brock (6-0 204)
Vertical leap: 36 and 37 inches
Long jump: 9 feet, 7 inches
Bench press: 225 pounds at 13 reps
40-yard dash times: 4.70 and 4.63 seconds
Short-shuttle 3-cone time: 7.43 seconds
OT King Dunlap (6-8 ¼, 311)
Vertical leap: 30 inches
Long jump: N/A
Bench press: 225 pounds at 20 reps
40-yard dash times: 5.26 and 5.00 seconds
Short-shuttle 3-cone time: 8.05 seconds
CB Zack Gilbert (5-9 187)
Vertical leap: 34 and 36.5 inches
Long jump: 9 feet, 11 inches and 10-1.5
Bench press: 225 pounds at 17 reps
40-yard dash times: 4.57 and 4.39 seconds
Short-shuttle 3-cone time: 6.90 seconds
DE/LB Quentin Groves (249 pounds)
Vertical leap: 34.5 and 35 inches
Note: Groves stood mainly on combine numbers.
CB Patrick Lee (196 pounds)
Vertical leap: 35 inches
Long jump: 9 feet, 8 inches; 9 feet, 9 inches
40-yard dash times: 4.51 and 4.42 seconds
Short-shuttle 3-cone time: 6.88 seconds
WR Prechae Rodgriquez (6-4, 207)
Vertical leap: 35 inches
Bench press: 225 pounds at 8 reps
40-yard dash times: 4.64 and 4.44 seconds
Short-shuttle 3-cone time: 7.16 seconds
DT, Pat Sims (305 pounds)
Vertical leap: 29.5 and 30.5 inches
Long jump: 7 feet, 9 inches; 7-11
40-yard dash time: 4.80 seconds
Short-shuttle 3-cone time: 7.67 seconds
FB Carl Stewart (6-1 1/8, 231)
Vertical leap: 38 and 39.5 inchesLong jump: 10 feet, 1 inch
Bench press: 225 pounds at 24 reps
40-yard dash times: 4.69 and 4.54 seconds
Short-shuttle 3-cone time: 7.40 seconds
DT Josh Thompson (5-11 ¼, 304)
Vertical leap: 28 and 28.5 inches
Long jump: 7 feet, 9 inches
40-yard dash times: 5.34 and 4.72 seconds
Short-shuttle 3-cone time: 7.76 seconds
CB Jonathan Wilhite (187 pounds)
Vertcial leap: 35 inches
Long jump: 9 feet, 9.5 inches; 10-0
40-yard dash: 4.42 seconds
Short-shuttle 3-cone: 7.17 seconds
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Arrest in Burk case
For those who have followed developments in the Tuesday murder of 18-year-old Auburn student Lauren Burk, this from Auburn Police today:
For Immediate Release Date of Release: March 8, 2008
Contact: Auburn Police Division Phone: (334) 501-3110
Suspect Arrested in Lauren Burk Case
The Auburn Police Division once again recognizes and wishes to thank each of the following agencies participating in the join task force: the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, and Firearms; the US Marshal's Service; the Alabama Bureau of Investigation; the Alabama Department of Forensic Science; the Alabama State Fire Marshal's Office; the Lee County District Attorney's Office; the Lee County Sheriff's Office; the Lee County Coroner's Office; the Opelika Police Department; and the Auburn University Public Safety and Security Division.
In addition to the above-mentioned agencies, we would like to thank Chief Brian McGarr and the Phenix City, AL Police Department for their fine work and assistance.
Thank you also to the countless agencies across the nation, state, and City who have offered their assistance.
Today, we are pleased to announce that a suspect in the murder case of Lauren Burk, an 18 year old Auburn University freshman student, was taken into custody yesterday by the Phenix City Police Department. He is identified as Courtney Larrell Lockhart, age 23, of Smiths, AL. He is charged with capital murder during a kidnapping; capital murder during a robbery; and capital murder during an attempted rape.
Task force members had developed Lockhart as a suspect and were attempting to establish his identity when Phenix City Police took him into custody on an unrelated offense. A great deal of work remains in this tragic case. With that in mind, many of the details will continue to be closely safeguarded.
A final thank you today to Governor Bob Riley's Office for immediately posting a $10,000 reward in this case and to each of the businesses and private citizens who added to the fund. A special thanks goes to the local community, Auburn University, and the Auburn Chamber of Commerce for their support throughout the investigation.
In closing, we again extend our heartfelt sympathy to all of the family and friends of Miss Burk who, along with the Auburn family, have suffered a great loss.
For Immediate Release Date of Release: March 8, 2008
Contact: Auburn Police Division Phone: (334) 501-3110
Suspect Arrested in Lauren Burk Case
The Auburn Police Division once again recognizes and wishes to thank each of the following agencies participating in the join task force: the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, and Firearms; the US Marshal's Service; the Alabama Bureau of Investigation; the Alabama Department of Forensic Science; the Alabama State Fire Marshal's Office; the Lee County District Attorney's Office; the Lee County Sheriff's Office; the Lee County Coroner's Office; the Opelika Police Department; and the Auburn University Public Safety and Security Division.
In addition to the above-mentioned agencies, we would like to thank Chief Brian McGarr and the Phenix City, AL Police Department for their fine work and assistance.
Thank you also to the countless agencies across the nation, state, and City who have offered their assistance.
Today, we are pleased to announce that a suspect in the murder case of Lauren Burk, an 18 year old Auburn University freshman student, was taken into custody yesterday by the Phenix City Police Department. He is identified as Courtney Larrell Lockhart, age 23, of Smiths, AL. He is charged with capital murder during a kidnapping; capital murder during a robbery; and capital murder during an attempted rape.
Task force members had developed Lockhart as a suspect and were attempting to establish his identity when Phenix City Police took him into custody on an unrelated offense. A great deal of work remains in this tragic case. With that in mind, many of the details will continue to be closely safeguarded.
A final thank you today to Governor Bob Riley's Office for immediately posting a $10,000 reward in this case and to each of the businesses and private citizens who added to the fund. A special thanks goes to the local community, Auburn University, and the Auburn Chamber of Commerce for their support throughout the investigation.
In closing, we again extend our heartfelt sympathy to all of the family and friends of Miss Burk who, along with the Auburn family, have suffered a great loss.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Auburn hitting wall; fans seem to be, too
Perhaps my voice-of-reason tendencies are talking here, but why have some Auburn fans turned on Jeff Lebo in the last week?
Yes, Auburn lost to Georgia and South Carolina in consecutive games. Yes, Georgia and South Carolina were two of the more beatable SEC opponents on Auburn's schedule.
Auburn played both teams at home, and their SEC records were on a par with Auburn's.
That said, South Carolina and Georgia were more beatable simply because the odds were more even. The Auburn team as constituted for most of this season is superior to neither Georgia nor South Carolina, just closer to even with both.
"Closer to even" does not necessarily equal "even."
South Carolina is small like Auburn, a four-guard-one-forward team. Still, the Gamecocks have more scholarship players available; Auburn has had seven for weeks.
The South Carolina game was March 1. That's well past time for an SEC team that essentially plays six players to go leg-dead, and that's what happened. A team with fresh legs doesn't miss jump shots that badly.
Georgia, like Auburn, has personnel issues. The Bulldogs have lost two to injuries and two to discipline, and another quit the team this season.
By my count, Georgia lost five players. Auburn lost seven for all or part of the season (I'll give a rundown shortly).
Georgia also plays a extremely physical game. For all of their years under Dennis Felton, the Bulldogs have made it their business to make opponents play ugly.
The game was played on March 5. Elbows, bumps and bangs weigh more on a leg-dead team.
It's not so amazing to me that Auburn lost both games. It's more amazing that Auburn waited until early March to crash.
It all leaves Auburn in an all-too-familiar place. With a likely loss at Arkansas on Saturday, Auburn will once again finish 4-12 in the SEC.
Four years seems like long enough for any coach to make more progress, but Lebo inherited NCAA sanctions. He has dealt with yearly transfers ... many for reasons not of his making ... and injuries.
Auburn has had personnel setbacks above normal attrition every year under Lebo.
This year's setbacks were the worst since Marco Killingsworth, Lewis Monroe, DeWayne Curtis and Brandon Robinson departed shortly after Auburn's 2004 coaching change. For those who forget what happened in the last year, a refresher course:
-- Promising sophomore guard Kelvin Lewis transferred after last season because his dad got a coaching gig at Houston.
-- Guard Archie Miaway didn't get it done in the classroom and did not play this season.
-- Signee Tyrell Lynch, a 6-9 forward, did not qualify.
-- An undisclosed medical issue prompted forward Josh Dollard, Auburn's leading scorer and rebounder, to take a medical redshirt before the season started.
-- A broken hand on Dec. 29 claimed forward Korvotney Barber for the season. He was leading the nation in shooting percentage.
-- Freshman center Boubacar Sylla sustained a stress reaction while trying to dunk in the home opener against Kennesaw State. He was lost for the season.
-- Guard Lucas Hargrove missed part of the season with a broken hand.
It's easy to forget all that's happened, especially when much of Auburn's fan base pays only passing or spotty attention to basketball.
Also, personnel losses Lebo faced this season didn't lose significance merely because some who paid attention grew tired of hearing about them. Those losses grew more significant as the season wore on, which is why Auburn hit the wall lately.
Again, more amazing to me is that it didn't happen sooner.
Yes, Auburn lost to Georgia and South Carolina in consecutive games. Yes, Georgia and South Carolina were two of the more beatable SEC opponents on Auburn's schedule.
Auburn played both teams at home, and their SEC records were on a par with Auburn's.
That said, South Carolina and Georgia were more beatable simply because the odds were more even. The Auburn team as constituted for most of this season is superior to neither Georgia nor South Carolina, just closer to even with both.
"Closer to even" does not necessarily equal "even."
South Carolina is small like Auburn, a four-guard-one-forward team. Still, the Gamecocks have more scholarship players available; Auburn has had seven for weeks.
The South Carolina game was March 1. That's well past time for an SEC team that essentially plays six players to go leg-dead, and that's what happened. A team with fresh legs doesn't miss jump shots that badly.
Georgia, like Auburn, has personnel issues. The Bulldogs have lost two to injuries and two to discipline, and another quit the team this season.
By my count, Georgia lost five players. Auburn lost seven for all or part of the season (I'll give a rundown shortly).
Georgia also plays a extremely physical game. For all of their years under Dennis Felton, the Bulldogs have made it their business to make opponents play ugly.
The game was played on March 5. Elbows, bumps and bangs weigh more on a leg-dead team.
It's not so amazing to me that Auburn lost both games. It's more amazing that Auburn waited until early March to crash.
It all leaves Auburn in an all-too-familiar place. With a likely loss at Arkansas on Saturday, Auburn will once again finish 4-12 in the SEC.
Four years seems like long enough for any coach to make more progress, but Lebo inherited NCAA sanctions. He has dealt with yearly transfers ... many for reasons not of his making ... and injuries.
Auburn has had personnel setbacks above normal attrition every year under Lebo.
This year's setbacks were the worst since Marco Killingsworth, Lewis Monroe, DeWayne Curtis and Brandon Robinson departed shortly after Auburn's 2004 coaching change. For those who forget what happened in the last year, a refresher course:
-- Promising sophomore guard Kelvin Lewis transferred after last season because his dad got a coaching gig at Houston.
-- Guard Archie Miaway didn't get it done in the classroom and did not play this season.
-- Signee Tyrell Lynch, a 6-9 forward, did not qualify.
-- An undisclosed medical issue prompted forward Josh Dollard, Auburn's leading scorer and rebounder, to take a medical redshirt before the season started.
-- A broken hand on Dec. 29 claimed forward Korvotney Barber for the season. He was leading the nation in shooting percentage.
-- Freshman center Boubacar Sylla sustained a stress reaction while trying to dunk in the home opener against Kennesaw State. He was lost for the season.
-- Guard Lucas Hargrove missed part of the season with a broken hand.
It's easy to forget all that's happened, especially when much of Auburn's fan base pays only passing or spotty attention to basketball.
Also, personnel losses Lebo faced this season didn't lose significance merely because some who paid attention grew tired of hearing about them. Those losses grew more significant as the season wore on, which is why Auburn hit the wall lately.
Again, more amazing to me is that it didn't happen sooner.
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