Tigers hoping for SEC tournament run, but revitalized UK makes prospects tough

jeff lebo.jpgAuburn coach Jeff Lebo's job could depend on how his Tigers do in this weekend's SEC tournament in Nashville, Tenn.
AUBURN -- Auburn will have to win the entire SEC tournament to make the postseason.
 The Tigers might have to do the same to save coach Jeff Lebo's job.

And they'll have to do it in a different climate now that Kentucky has re-emerged as one of the top teams in the country, and the clear favorite in this weekend's tournament.
 "That Kentucky presence is there again," Lebo said.

The hordes of fans never really left, even in Kentucky's handful of down seasons over the last few years. But the Wildcats' success this year, and the tournament's location in Nashville, Tenn., will likely bring even more blue-clad fans than before.

"I've been in this league a long time, as an assistant, too, when they were really strong," Lebo said. "The Kentucky fans engulfed the whole weekend.

"Typically, Kentucky does very well. I think you are getting that same kind of feel back."

Last year, there was a sense that the SEC tournament was wide open. This year, the overwhelming strength of the Eastern division has made the slate more intimidating.

The top four teams in the SEC East are a combined 24-0 against the West. The best of those teams, Kentucky, is likely bound for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament regardless of what happens in Nashville.

"I don't know if there are any merits to stand on when you're 0-24 against them, so I would say those are the best four (teams in the league)," Lebo said. "They are not unbeatable, obviously, but no one has done it this year. Maybe we can be the first."

Auburn starts the tournament Thursday at 6:30 p.m. against Florida. The winner moves back to the West to face Mississippi State, the top seed in the weaker conference. If the seeds hold true, Vanderbilt would be in store for the team that makes the semifinals.

As draws go, Auburn's path is difficult but far from impossible. If Auburn had beaten Alabama on Saturday and won a higher seed, Kentucky would have been waiting in the second round.

Now, if Auburn makes an improbable run, Kentucky wouldn't appear until the final game.

"We'll assess it when the season's over," Lebo said when asked how he would rate his sixth year at Auburn. "It's not over yet."