Quotes of Note: Reactions to Auburn basketball’s win over Ole Miss

In their penultimate home game of the season, the Auburn basketball team did not disappoint. The Tigers took part in a rematch against the Ole Miss Rebels, a team that was ranked when they welcomed Auburn to the Pavillion on Feb. 1.

The Tigers handled business in their first win over Ole Miss, and it was the same story in their second on the Plains. Auburn defeated Ole Miss 106-76, the Tigers’ highest score of the season. After going through a shooting slump in the last two home games, Auburn’s offense was unreal on Wednesday night, shooting 52.4 percent from three and 59.6 percent from the field.

Johni Broome fell just short of a double-double with 24 points and nine rebounds, and Chad Baker-Mazara added 22 points of his own. It was a triumphant night for the Tigers, who have only one home game left against rival Alabama. Here are some reactions to the game.

Head coach Bruce Pearl on his team’s improvements at the end of the season, per Auburn Undercover:

“They were locked in. They recognized this was the second-to-last home game in Neville Arena this year. This was the second-to-last time our fans were going to be able to see them up close and personal, and just enjoy the quality of their play. I think that created a bit of a sense of urgency.”

Johni Broome on the opportunity to clinch a share of the regular-season SEC title at Kentucky, per Auburn Rivals:

“It means a lot. I’d say I’m proud of this team and this staff for all the work we’ve put in, it’s finally showing a little bit. Job’s not finished. It’d be good to clinch it at Kentucky. Obviously, they’re a historic program. We want to clinch it then go to A&M, take care of business and then finish up at home. It’s more than Rupp to clinch it, but it feels good.”

Ole Miss head coach Chris Beard on his team’s defeat, per Auburn Undercover:

“If you would’ve told me at the beginning of the game that we could get (close) to 80-something points and shoot close to 50 percent from the field, make some threes around mid 30’s, get to the free throw line more and take care of the ball relatively well, I would’ve predicted that we would’ve had a chance to win the game. That wasn’t the story, because on the other side of the floor, just non-existent defense.

“It’s not just the players, but everybody in the program. Give Auburn credit. They’re very difficult to guard… Defense was non-existent, and I would say that a lot of it had to do with Auburn. They come at you in waves and depth. I thought offensively we gave ourselves a chance. Defensively, we didn’t have a defense tonight.”

The Tigers return to action this Saturday against Kentucky in Rupp Arena.