Turning Point?

     The old adage you have to crawl before you can walk came to mind Wednesday night as I sat in the Auburn Arena and watched the young Auburn Tigers do some growing up.  Don't let the final 68-53 margin in favor of #2 Kentucky fool you. Auburn went toe to toe with the Cats for 36 minutes. But Kentucky showed why they're - well, Kentucky - with back to back treys late, that put a dagger in the Tigers' hopes of shocking the world.
      Coach Tony Barbee whipped his mentor, John Calipari's rear end. The Tigers were prepared, aggressive and looked like a downright contender. Kentucky was frazzled, frustrated, and confused, as Barbee changed line-ups, defenses, and controlled the pace. It was not the pace Barbee likes to play, nor will it be the pace we see from the Tigers two years from now or maybe even next season.  But for right now, it looks like Auburn has found itself both offensively and defensively.  The starting lineup of Varez Ward, Chris Denson, Kenny Gabriel, Rob Chubb, and Adrian Forbes was different, and just what the Tigers needed to help thwart the Cats' size and athleticism.

Robb Chubb turned in 14 points and eight rebounds.

      For the last two games, it looked as if the Tigers were not listening to Barbee and were a team not on the same page. What a difference four days makes. I have been told the practices have been intense and that the defensive minded Barbee has really started to focus on an offensive game plan that will pay dividends for the Tigers.
     Chubb played exceedingly well, scoring on his patented jump hook and had a solid rebounding night, with eight, in his finest career performance overall. Gabriel did his usual thing, including some jaw dropping put backs. Denson was steady as always, and Ward was solid and a real floor general.  For my money though, the pleasant surprises were Forbes, who helped reset several shot clocks with an offensive rebound or a tip to a teammate. Josh Wallace, who I have called on message boards to see more minutes was sensational in stretches,and Josh Langford, outside of a couple of ill-advised shots, just brings a nastiness and swagger that this team definitely needs. Frankie Sullivan's stroke looked good and if one or two of his shots go down, the world just might be shocked this morning.
     Perhaps more impressive was the players' cohesiveness.  Body language tells a lot.  For several games, that has not looked good.  There has appeared to be factions on the team and that is harder to coach than the game itself. But something appeared to have dramatically change. The bench cheered. Teammates embraced. Love was in the air. That was more encouraging than the Tigers' gritty play.
     There are games, wins and losses that are turning points of a season, either good or bad.  I am not one at all for moral victories, but as Barbee continues to build this basketball program into a contender, Wednesday's game just might be the one we look back, not just this season, but years from now and point to. Enjoy watching. These Tigers are growing up.