Rick Barnes previews Tennessee's difficult matchup against Auburn's Johni Broome

When Tennessee takes on Auburn on Wednesday night, there will be a lot riding on the line. Both teams are right in the thick of the SEC race, with Tennessee currently sharing the lead with Alabama and Auburn just one game back.

For the Volunteers, finding a way to slow Johni Broome will be key. The Tigers big man has been virtually unstoppable at times.

“Johni Broome, I mean he’s, I don’t know if he’s getting the recognition he deserves,” Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said. “I think he’s truly one of the top post players in the country. A guy that can go inside, outside and just does a lot of different things for them.”

The stat sheet pretty much tells the story. Johni Broome is averaging 16.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, 1.9 assists and 1.0 steals per contest. He plays 24.5 minutes per game.

Finding a way to neutralize him, or at least minimize his impact will be key.

“You look at the year, last year I thought he was a handful for us,” Barnes said. “We expect that now.”

In two games against Tennessee last year, Broome averaged 14.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.5 blocks and 1.5 steals. He was a difference-maker, though the teams split the two meetings, with both teams claiming the win on their home floor.

Wednesday’s contest will be at Tennessee. But the Volunteers aren’t taking anything for granted.

They know how difficult stopping Johni Broome is, in part because he can be a good distributor when you double him with the ball.

“It is, he does pass the ball extremely well for his position,” Barnes said. “But he’s a shot-blocker. He can do that. Obviously he gets inside I think he’s poised, patient with the ball and you try to throw different defenses at him. He’s going to look around and try to find the right guy to make the right play.”

Auburn and Tennessee are set to tip off at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, with a national broadcast set for ESPN2.