Two of the best programs in the SEC over the last decade collide Saturday night down on The Plains when No. 6 Tennessee basketball plays at No. 1 Auburn. Tipoff between standards of SEC basketball is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Tennessee leads all SEC programs in total wins (188) over the last eight seasons (2017-25), is tied for first in postseason victories (18) and is second in overall winning percentage (.734). UT and Auburn (.739) are two of the three SEC teams with an overall winning percentage above .660, along with Kentucky (.703).
In SEC play over the same eight-year period, Tennessee (90-41; .687) is tied with Kentucky (90-40; .692) for the most conference victories and is second in conference winning percentage. Only Auburn (86-45; .656) and Alabama (83-49; .629) are at even 75-plus wins.
The Volunteers are 96-30 (.762) overall over the last four seasons (2021-25). That is good for the most victories and the second-best winning percentage in the SEC over that span. They trail only Auburn (93-28; .769) in winning percentage. During that same stretch, the Vols (43-17; .717) are tied with Alabama (43-17; .717) and Auburn (43-16; .729) for first in SEC wins.
Tennessee is 3-1 in its last four games against Auburn after losing the prior six games. This is the fifth time in the last nine meetings both Tennessee and Auburn are ranked, with the Volunteers 3-1 in the prior three, including winning the past three. Before March 17, 2019, both sides were ranked in just two of the first 85 matchups of the AP Poll era (since 1948-49).
The Vols are facing Bruce Pearl for the 16th time, which ties him with Andy Kennedy for active coaches whom the Vols have faced the most, behind John Calipari (39), Rick Pitino (22) and Frank Martin (18). Pearl coached at Tennessee for six seasons from 2005-11. He went 145-61, led UT to three Sweet 16 appearances, the program’s first ever trip to the Elite Eight, and one SEC regular-season championship.
To get you ready for Saturday night’s matchup between Tennessee and Auburn, we take a look at the pertinent information, the five keys to a Vols win and give a quick prediction on the way out the door.
