How Hot Is The Seat For Lebo?

Auburn basketball. Some days, it makes you want to cheer and some days, it makes you want to stick your head in the sand to hide. After winning more games last season than any other Auburn basketball team in school history, Lebo's Tigers are managing very few wins this season. It is apparent that Auburn lost some key talent after finishing up the 2008-2009 season, but on the other hand, Auburn has four seniors who are very capable of leading Auburn to more victories. When the seniors aren't leading on the court, it makes me wonder if there is a breakdown between coaches and players.

Before Auburn began SEC play, it had accumulated eight wins and six losses. When you look at who Auburn played, you have to question what in the world is wrong with Auburn basketball. Auburn lost to North Carolina State and that is not so difficult to swallow. On the other hand, losses to Missouri State, Sam Houston, Troy and Central Florida make for one difficult pill to swallow. Auburn did manage a one point victory over the University of Virginia and to date, that is, in my opinion, their best win yet. Before Auburn entered SEC play, they only played three teams from major conferences. Who is making the schedule for Auburn? I would much rather see Auburn warm up against several quality teams before entering SEC play. Even if they go into SEC play with five wins and nine losses, I would be okay with that if the losses were to teams from the Big East, the ACC, the PAC-10, the Big 10 or the Big 12. When you beat High Point or West Georgia or Georgia Southern, it doesn't prepare a team to play with the likes of SEC teams. I am not taking anything away from High Point, West Georgia or Georgia Southern. I merely trying to say that Auburn needs to compete against teams from major conferences in order to have a chance to play better against SEC teams. Auburn led South Carolina, Kentucky and Vanderbilt; however, the team could not find a way to win even one of those games. Why? Auburn is not the most talented team in the SEC and they certainly don't have the size other teams have, but why? Are the current coaches unable to recruit talent and size? Lebo has brought in some excellent players over the past few years, but has he utilized those players to Auburn's advantage? Let's critique the most recent game. Auburn led Vanderbilt by 16 points and they entered half-time with a lead of 43 to 32. What happened? One thing is for sure, Vanderbilt coaches said and did the right things to get their players to come back out and whip Auburn. Once things start going downhill, Lebo seems unable to stop the slide and gain any momentum from his players. 

Time and time again, I start to wonder if Jeff Lebo is the right man to lead the Auburn basketball team. I am sick and tired of Auburn athletics doing all they can to promote a successful football team but not for the Auburn basketball team. Come on, Jay Jacobs, light a fire under Jeff Lebo or replace him. Alabama finally replaced their long-time beloved coach with Anthony Grant and look what it has done for the program. Not only is Alabama winning; they are beating ranked opponents. As an Auburn man, I have to say congratulations. I also have to wonder when Auburn is going to spend some cash to bring in a coach who will turn things around once and for all. It's time. We can all sit around and say things like, "well, Auburn sure has lost some close games this year." Its time to get real. They have lost games they should have won and when they were bidding for an upset, they couldn't finish. If Lebo's seat is not a hot one right now, maybe it should be. It is time for a change. Auburn football has improved drastically over the past year. It is time for Auburn basketball to change as well.