Auburn Basketball: Ready or Not, SEC Play Starts with the Gamecocks

Fresh off a victory against the West Georgia Wolves, the 9-6 Auburn Tigers start conference play versus the South Carolina Gamecocks this Saturday.

Auburn is riding a four-game win streak into Saturday, crushing the Wolves 96-72.  This much is certain though: Pre-season is over.

There is some ray of hope for the Auburn Tigers. In this four-game win streak, they have played some of their best basketball to date. 

The offense finally got off to a quick start last night, going on an 11-3 run within the first 1:41 of the game. 

All five of Auburn's starters scored within the first 2:23 versus the Wolves.

Now the intensity will be turned up a notch, as the South Carolina Gamecocks roll into town. 

Devan Downey of South Carolina is scoring 18.5 points per game. Watch for the Tigers to control him early on in the game.

As Auburn had problems earlier in the season, those problems seemed to have been solved. 

Auburn has shown much more aggressiveness inside the paint on this winning streak. Brendon Knox and Johnnie Lett have become a force inside making teams respect the paint. 

If its current play can continue into conference play, Auburn will be able to make some noise. 

After South Carolina, the road doesn't get any easier. 

Auburn will have to play aggressive for 16 more games to have a shot in each one. 

A task that is much easier said than done.