Feb 9, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Auburn Tigers guard Bryce Brown (2) moves the ball against Tennessee Volunteers guard Shembari Phillips (25)during the first half at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

SEC Hoops Preview: Tennessee Battles Auburn

To kick off the SEC tournament on Wednesday the Tennessee Volunteers (No.12) look to snag a win against the Auburn Tigers (No.13). This is not the first time that Auburn and Tennessee will be meeting each other this season. In early February the Tigers traveled to Knoxville but leftwith a 71-45 loss against the Volunteers.

Dec 19, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Auburn Tigers guard T.J. Dunans (4) dunks during the first half against the Xavier Musketeers at the Cintas Center. Xavier won 85-61. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports
Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee is 13-18 overall and 6-12 in the SEC while Auburn is 11-19 overall and 5-3 in the SEC.

The volunteers lost their last four regular season game by an average of 19 points. Senior Kevin Punter, the teams leading scorer will have season ending surgery on Tuesday to repair a stress fracture in his right foot. Coach Barnes says that loosing Punter has caused the team to make a new game plan.

The Tigers are coming off of a 79-66 loss to Mississippi State. Coach Perl says that they are the healthiest they have been all season and getting T.J. Dunans back has been beneficial.

Dunans a Junior guard for the tigers is tied for 8th in the SEC with 1.5 steals per game, Averaging  12.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game and shooting 52.3% from the floor, 38.7% from 3-point range and 64.5% from the free throw line.

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