Auburn basketball had a chance to get back at Alabama for the lighting malfunction that delayed their game in Tuscaloosa last month. The Tigers played Kanye West’s “All of the Lights” before their rematch at Neville Arena on Wednesday night, mocking the Crimson Tide for the red glow that filled Coleman Coliseum on Jan. 24.
Auburn wins the Iron Bowl of Basketball
The Tigers did not just troll Alabama with their pregame music, they also beat them on the court. Auburn won 99-81, snapping Alabama’s eight-game winning streak and handing them their first SEC loss of the season. Auburn improved to 19-4 (8-2 SEC) and moved into a tie for first place in the conference with Alabama and South Carolina.
Auburn was led by Jabari Smith, who scored 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. The freshman forward was unstoppable, shooting 11-of-16 from the field and 4-of-6 from the three-point line. He also had three blocks and two steals, showing his versatility on both ends of the floor.
Alabama had no answer for Smith, who outplayed their star guard Jaden Shackelford. Shackelford, who scored 28 points in the first meeting, was held to 14 points on 5-of-15 shooting. He also committed five turnovers and fouled out with 3:42 left in the game.
Auburn’s student section adds to the atmosphere
The game was played in front of a packed and loud crowd at Neville Arena, also known as The Jungle. The Auburn student section was especially vocal, cheering on their team and taunting their rivals. Some students waited outside the arena for more than 24 hours to get the best seats for the game.
The students also joined in the fun of poking fun at Alabama’s lighting issue. They chanted “Turn off the lights” and “We want red” during the game, referencing the incident at Coleman Coliseum. They also held up signs that read “All of the Lights” and “We see red”.
The students’ enthusiasm was appreciated by the Auburn players and coaches, who credited them for creating a great home-court advantage. “They were unbelievable,” Smith said. “They gave us a lot of energy and momentum. They were the sixth man for us tonight.”
Auburn shows its depth and balance
One of the reasons why Auburn has been so successful this season is its depth and balance. The Tigers have nine players who average at least six points per game, and they can score from inside and outside. They showed that against Alabama, as they had six players in double figures and made 14 three-pointers.
Auburn also dominated the rebounding battle, 45-31, and the points in the paint, 46-32. The Tigers were aggressive and physical, not letting Alabama get comfortable on offense or defense. They forced 18 turnovers and scored 26 points off them.
Auburn coach Bruce Pearl praised his team for playing with passion and purpose. “I thought we played with great effort, great energy, great enthusiasm,” Pearl said. “We played together, we shared the ball, we defended, we rebounded. We did a lot of things well.”
