It must be a slow news day today, because the sAUsage is a little lighter than normal. Unfortunately, you might have to find supplemental entertainment to waste time at the office this afternoon.

It's no surprise, but Kenny Gabriel is questionable for Saturday's basketball game against Arkansas with a badly bruised lower back. Anyone that saw the falls KG took against Florida must be amazed that he can even walk right now.

Gabriel proved just how valuable he is to Auburn when he left the game for good on Tuesday. With KG out, Florida went on a 21-8 run to end the game.

In addition to its No. 24 ranking in the NFCA Poll, the Auburn softball team is ranked 19th in the ESPN/USA Today Poll. No. 19 seems to be a more accurate ranking for a team with the kind of resume that Auburn has.

College Baseball Daily is already projecting this year's NCAA Tournament field. After a 1-2 weekend against Missouri, Auburn doesn't make the cut.

After a 22-0 drubbing on Tuesday, the Tigers host Alcorn State today at 3 p.m. Let's see if the Auburn bats have any life left in them.

Folks up in Penn State Country are trying to hype up new defensive coordinator Ted Roof, which makes all of us down in Auburn chuckle.

A sad story out of Lubbock, Texas: An 87-year-old man, who was involved in a serious car accident on Nov. 1 with Suzanne Tuberville, has died. Suzanne is the wife of former Auburn football coach, Tommy. Details of the man's death have not been released.

The men's basketball team plays at Florida tonight, and the Tigers are looking for their second straight win over a top 25 team. If Auburn can pull off the upset, it'll be the first time since 1986 that the program has won back-to-back games over ranked opponents. Auburn-Florida is set for a 6 pm tip-off on ESPNU.

Believe it or not, beating a top 25 Mississippi State team has given the Tigers confidence going into the Florida game. We're sure you're just as shocked to hear that as we are.

Florida guard Mike Rosario could be back in the lineup tonight against the Tigers. Rosario averages about eight points per game and is a 38-percent 3-point shooter.

Gator head coach Billy Donovan is trying to keep his team's focus squarely on tonight's game against the Tigers. With upcoming games against Vanderbilt and Kentucky, the Gators could very well be looking past Auburn. Let's hope that's the case.

David Dahl, a senior at Oak Mountain High School and Auburn baseball prospect, is the 10th-best high school player in the country, according to Baseball America. 

Kevin Ives gives us our baseball STAT of the Union for Week 1. Despite a 1-2 start, Auburn is faring well, comparatively, to other SEC teams. Ives also makes a few predictions for this week's SEC games.

Auburn baseball hosts Alcorn State today and Wednesday. First Pitch for both games is set for 3 p.m.

Lauren Schmalz was named SEC softball pitcher of the week on Tuesday. All Schmalz did over the weekend was pick up wins over then-No. 15 Oklahoma State and No. 23 Georgia Tech. At 8-0, the Tigers are ranked for the first time this season, coming in at No. 24. Frankly, we think that's a little low after a 3-0 weekend that included two wins over ranked opponents and one no-hitter.

In an effort to obtain ALL THE OFFENSIVE LINEMEN, Auburn has offered a scholarship to Maryland transfer Max Garcia. Garcia is 6-4, 310 pounds, and has decided that he wants to play closer to his hometown of Norcross, Ga.

Former Tiger quarterback Jason Campbell and his fiancee ran an audible over the weekend, calling off their wedding just hours before it was supposed to happen. No matter the reason, the guests that had already made the trip to the Dominican Republic must have been thrilled to hear the news.

Another former quarterback, a guy you might remember named Cam Newton, recently starred in an Under Armour commercial that will debut during the NFL combine. Have you missed the incessant crying of Cam haters during the offseason? If you open your ears, we're sure you'll hear them again very soon.

Missouri is going to have to "step up" if it wants to be across-the-board competitive in the SEC. The third edition of the conference's Tigers might be in just a bit over its head.

Harvey Updyke's attorney says stuff that will likely make your blood boil. Updyke's trial for allegedly poisoning the Toomer's oaks is set to begin on March 5. Just remeber, despite what those in Tuscaloosa will try to tell you, THIS IS ALABAMA FOOTBALL.

In other Auburn/legal-related news, the attorney for former Auburn DB Mike McNeil has argued to suppress evidence in McNeil's upcoming armed robbery case. That trial, too, is tentatively set to begin March 5.

Birmingham News columnist Jon Soloman takes a look at the state of college basketbal in Alabama. Unsuprisingly, the results aren't pretty.

What kind of non-conference opponents have SEC teams scheduled in 2012? A few teams will be plying against some real competition -- like Auburn opening against Clemson in Atlanta -- but there are plenty of cupcakes to satisfy the conference's sweet tooth.

If you didn't realize that this past weekend was a pretty big athletic event on the Plains, we aren't really sure why you're reading an Auburn sports blog. But in case you missed any of the results, here's a recap of the All In Weekend:

The Auburn men's basketball team recorded it's biggest win of the Tony Barbee era, upsetting No. 23 Mississippi State at Auburn Arena. Hopefully, the team can use that win as a springboard to a strong finish and build momentum going into next season.

Gymnastics lost at home to No. 2 Florida, but the 17th-ranked Tigers achieved the second-best score in school history.

Men's swimming and diving won its 16th consecutive SEC title and the conference championships in Knoxville. The Auburn women placed a solid fourth.

The top-ranked equestrian team fell to No. 3 Georgia. The teams actually tied, but Georgia won by virtue of more raw points. A tie that is really a loss? That reminds us of the 1994 Auburn-Georgia football game.

Softball had a stellar weekend, beating No. 15 Oklahoma State on Friday and Virginia Tech and No. 23 Georgia Tech on Sunday. The Tigers are now 8-0 and already have recorded two no-hitters on the young season. 

Baseball started strong with a 5-2 win over Missouri on Friday, but the bad Tigers swept Games 2 and 3 on Sunday, knocking the good Tigers to 1-2 on the year. On the bright side, Auburn's Derek Varnadore was named SEBaseball.com's pitcher of the week thanks to his 11 K, one run performance on Friday.

Men's tennis went 1-2 at the ITA Indoor Championships in Charlottesville, Va. The Tigers defeated Baylor but lost to Virginia and Texas.

Women's basketball dropped to 3-11 in SEC play after a 16-point loss at LSU.

I love Auburn men’s basketball. I always liked college basketball, and I grew up loving Georgetown. It wasn’t until I was a student at Auburn that I fell hard for Auburn basketball as a Cliff Dweller. I worked a lot while I was in school – mostly waiting tables – and big money days were always home football games. Basketball always seemed to work better with my schedule so I got to go to those games. When I graduated from Auburn, my first job had me on the road Monday through Thursday. I haven’t always been fortunate enough to be staffed on projects with large teams so I have spent more time than I care to admit holed up in hotel rooms with room service. A familiar and beloved friend has always been there for me -- Auburn basketball. So many times I have been so far from Toomer’s lemonade and Momma’s Love, but I could watch my guys on television and feel like I was back on the Plains. Sometimes it was the only real connection I had back to the Plains, especially when I was living and working all over the country – San Francisco, Chicago, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Houston, Columbus (Ohio).

This is the first year since I graduated from Auburn that I have had the opportunity to own season tickets and actively attend. My basketball love can easily be described as intense, and I understand that I probably come across as a “sunshine pumper” type of fan. There have been plenty of times this year I could have tossed in the towel. I was at Vanderbilt with their fancy raised court when it rained 3's. I stared at the television in horror the night FSU seemed to pass and shoot without regard to laws of speed. I was in the stands when Bama hit shots they haven’t made all season. One of my friends told me after that particular game that my dedication must be like loving someone that doesn’t love me back. I thought about that for a long time, probably longer than I should have. I guess I love Auburn basketball the way some people love their kids. It’s the only way I know how to explain it.

We have seen flashes of genius out of these guys throughout the season. Remember the Hawaii game (and the birth of one of my favorite AU basketball hashtags, #latenightchubb)? Recall the night Kenny Gabriel inked Auburn’s first triple double against Bethune-Cookman? After the loss at Vandy, the Tigers roared back with the near win against Kentucky – did you watch that? What about seeing Frankie Sullivan get his shooting legs in time for the first OT game against Ole Miss? How about Varez Ward exploding against Georgia? Did you notice we are gaining depth that we haven’t had before – the starters are not always set in stone. We are seeing grind-it-out grit from Allen Payne and Adrian Forbes. Chris Denson and Josh Wallace are bringing in energy. We are watching Willy Kouassi grow before our eyes. We are patiently waiting for Josh Langford, the enforcer, to return. Noel Johnson is making shots and getting rebounds. They are on the brink of something. 

It is why I cannot properly express how excited I am about Saturday night’s win over Mississippi State. Tickets sold out before gameday. Despite the miserable weather, the student section was full and loud. It is funny to me that as I sit and write, details of this game escape me. All I can tell you for sure is that I saw KG with a ridiculous reverse dunk. I witnessed Varez Ward and Josh Wallace direct the team with focus and determination. I saw Chubb brush off a mistake and battle it out for a rebound. I watched Frankie hit tough shots. I laughed when Rick Stansbury threw his usual temper tantrum. The most burning memory was seeing KG pull his teammates around him in the final minutes of the game to let them know they were winning this game. I could have gone home then*, because I knew the fate of the game was decided.

Saturday night's win was a sign of great things to come for Auburn on the hardwood. War Damn.

*I, of course, stayed until the end. 

Going into Tuesday night's home game against archrival Alabama, the Auburn men's basketball team had plenty of reasons to be confident that an upset of the Tide was not only possible, but that it would very likely be achieved. Yes, the Tigers entered the game with a less than stellar 3-6 record in SEC play, but three of those six losses were by fewer than 10 points, and in a 15-point loss against top-ranked Kentucky, the Tigers held a lead with 10 minutes remaining. Auburn had struggled to a 1-7 away from Auburn Arena during the 2011-12 season, but Tony Barbee's team was a stellar 12-1 at home, with the one loss coming against the Wildcats. Auburn had dropped its game prior to the contest against Alabama, but the Tigers' offense finally found its rhythm in a 91-88 loss at No. 22 Mississippi State. The Tigers' record didn't show it, but Auburn's recent improved play and excellent home record made an upset of Alabama appear to be a very realistic goal.

Welp, so much for that.

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Auburn (12-8, 2-4) faces yet another road test in Knoxville on Saturday after a disappointing finish in their last game. The Tigers were looking for their first SEC road win but were unable to tie the game at the buzzer, falling to Arkansas 56-53 Tuesday night. Senior Kenny Gabriel put up 13 points and eight rebounds. Sophomore Chris Denson and junior Frankie Sullivan each had 10 points. Auburn continued to outrebound its competition, 44-29, and despite a 7 point lead with 13 minutes left in the game, the pressure from the Razorbacks proved to be too much. Having junior Varez Ward and sophomore Josh Langford for less than a full half did not help matters. Both are expected to play Saturday.

Tennessee (9-11, 1-4) is also looking to pick up a win at home after a 65-47 loss in Nashville to Vanderbilt. Even with the debut of the orange blazer on Coach Cuonzo Martin, the Volunteers only managed to hit 1 of 7 three pointers. Junior Jeronne Maymon has his 12th double double for the season but only put up 10 points (the only double digit UT scorer in the game). The 47 points were a season low for the Vols. Vandy took the lead early and never let up.

Auburn-Tennessee Series History & Game Facts

•Auburn Head Coach: Tony Barbee (UMass ’93)
      at Auburn: 23-28 (.451), second year
      Overall: 105-80 (.568)

•Tennessee Head Coach: Cuonzo Martin (Purdue ’00)
      at Tennessee: 9-11 (.450), first year
      Overall: 70-52 (.574), fourth year

•Series Record: Vols leads 70-37
•at Auburn: Tigers leads 26-21
•at Knoxville: Vols leads 43-7, including 13-2 in Thompson-Boiling Arena
•Neutral Sites: Vols leads 6-4
•Current Streak: Vols by 3
•Last Meeting: Vols 69, AU 56

Auburn Basketball On the Air

Radio: Auburn IMG Sports Network, Saturday, 4:30 p.m. CT. Play-by-Play: Rod Bramlett, Color: Paul Ellen.
Satellite Radio: XM91 (UT Broadcast)
Internet Radio: auburntigers.com
TV: ESPN2, Saturday, 5 p.m. CT. Play-by-Play: Brad Nessler, Color: Jimmy Dykes.

At this point in the preview, I turn you guys over to our in house expert, Jared Robertson.

Tennessee Scouting Report

Tennessee is a very similair team to the Tigers. They play good defense and struggle to score with the ball at times. They lack a true center and have two-forward, three-guard lineup that is very physical and swarms to the ball on defense.

Freshman Jarnell Stokes is a load inside at 6'8 250, and Trae Golden has played very well for the Vols leading the team in scoring at 13.2 ppg, leading the SEC in assists with 5 per game.Senior gaurd Cameron Tatum has been through the good and bad at Tennessee and has always been a solid player for the Vols.

Tennessee will shoot alot of threes, with over a third of their FG attempts coming from behind the arc. Tennessee is traditionally very good at Thompson-Boiling Arena, and picked up a win over no. 13 UConn last Tuesday, 60-57. The Vols' lone league win came at home as well, beating Florida 67-56.

Tennessee will run a ball control offense and work for a good shot. Look for the Vols to start looking to Stokes more often and playing some inside out with him. They will try to get Stokes going early and hope to force the Tigers to double him, opening up some room for their three point shooters. On defense, the Vols won't press much but they do play very well on defense and rebound well. Stokes has made a real difference for this team on both sides of the ball, and Auburn will have to try and contain him inside and on the boards.

Key Stats

Tennessee has a slight lead in scoring (57.4) over Auburn (55.2). Both teams struggle to score at times, so it will be key for Auburn to take full advantage of each possession. The pace will favor niether team, as both teams like to work the ball in the half court for a good shot.

Scoring defense also slightly favors the Vols (61.0) over Auburn (62.3). Both teams will run a man defense, but you may see some zone from Tennessee since Auburn lacks a pure shooter outside of Frankie Sullivan. If the Vols do decide to zone Auburn, the Tigers need to take advantage and knock down some shots. When the Vols are in man, the Tigers need to execute their flex-style to get good shots and get in the paint.

Rebounding favors Auburn (37.3) over Tennessee (36.2). Both teams rebound very well and both are outrebounding their opponets by and average of 2 rpg. If Tennessee does go zone, the Tigers need to crash the offensive boards very hard. It is harder to rebound out of a zone since you're not assigned to one man. Auburn will need to run towards the glass before the Vols can put a body on them. Any extra oppurtunities to score in this game will come at a premium.

In terms of turnovers, Auburn (15.7) is turning it over two fewer times than Tennessee (17.4). Both teams are forcing 13.8 per game. Forcing turnovers will be a huge factor in this game, as they usually are in every game. Auburn needs to turn Tennessee turnovers into points, while limiting their own turnovers, especially on the road.

This game will come down to who can take advantage of possessions and who can protect the ball more. Both teams will struggle to score and both teams will rebound well. Getting anything easy will come at a premium and have a big factor on the outcome of the game.

Based on recent tweets from guard Chris Denson (@CDenson_3), he has had a stomach bug for several days.

He visited the clinic today, and after getting sick in the lobby, went through four IVs, according to his Twitter account. Let's hope for a quick recovery. CD3 has started in 8 games but as of late, he has been the go to guy from the bench. He is averaging 10.3 points per game and hitting 70% of his free throws. He is a much needed presence for this week’s game at Arkansas.

Tip off for Wednesday, January 25th is set for 8:00pm CT. Auburn is coming off a win at home against South Carolina (63-52). Arkansas, also hot after a win at home against a ranked Michigan squad (66-64), is ready to jump back into conference play. Auburn is currently 12-7 overall, 2-3 in the SEC. Arkansas is 14-5 overall and 2-2 in SEC.