Tennessee’s Jaylen Carey claps back at Auburn after Vols’ win regarding comments about physicality
The Vols’ big man had some things to say about Auburn after Tennessee’s late rally.
The Tennessee Vols found themselves down to the Auburn Tigers by double digits in the second half on Thursday in the second round of the SEC Tournament. Auburn held the lead for most of the game and was up 51-41, threatening to pull away.
But the opposite happened, as Tennessee went on an incredible 20-0 run to take command of the game on the way to a 72-62 win. And over that stretch, the Vols absolutely dominated the Tigers physically and controlled the paint and the glass.
Speaking of physicality, Tennessee’s Jaylen Carey was asked after the game about Auburn players saying they were going to be more physical in their second matchup of the season. Carey made reference to Tennessee’s brutal preparation and constant physicality in refuting that claim.
Tennessee’s Jaylen Carey said of Auburn’s physicality — ‘you can’t really do that when you only do it for a few days’
“We showed it in our pregame film,” Carey said of Auburn players’ comment. “It kind of gave us more fuel. They want to talk about it that they want to be a more physical team. You can’t really do that when you only do it for a few days, when we do it all summer and all year long. Where we just hit each other in practice and go at each other in practice and it translates every game.”
Auburn players had some comments about Tennessee after their win on Wednesday over Mississippi State. It’s clear that some moments from Tennessee’s 77-69 regular season win were still on their minds.
“We lost to them in the regular season,” Auburn guard Tahaad Pettiford said. “We heard some things that was said after the game, so we’re going to see them tomorrow.”
“Some things said in the press conference, you know, some giggles after the game — we [saw] it,” Pettiford added.
Auburn forward Keyshawn Hall made reference to Nate Ament’s laughter in the press conference after the Vols’ regular season win over the Tigers, which was regarding Steven Pearl’s comments about DeWayne Brown II and Jaylen Carey looking like a couple of football defensive ends.
“I feel a lot of urgency,” said Hall. “It’s kind of personal this game. I heard after the game they were laughing or something in the interviews and thinking it was a game since they beat us. I mean, they won fair and square. They’re a great team, but it’s going to be a personal game. So, we’re going to see who’s a tougher team.”
The rebounding advantage for the game finished tight, with Auburn holding a 40-39 edge. But Tennessee blocked nine shots to Auburn’s three and only turned the ball over six times to Auburn’s 12. The Vols also held an edge in assists 15-6.
So, more physical or not, the Vols got the better of Steven Pearl’s Tigers for a second time in two tries this season. And with the Tigers now looking shaky for the bubble, there likely won’t be a third shot for the Tigers against Tennessee this season.
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