Auburn fans started camping out for Kentucky game after beating South Carolina by 40

If you were busy with Valentine’s Day activities last night, you missed seeing Kentucky’s next opponent roll a team that has already beaten the Cats this season. The No. 13 Auburn Tigers decimated No. 11 South Carolina 101-61 on The Plains. It was Auburn’s biggest win over a ranked opponent this year and snapped South Carolina’s seven-game winning streak. The Tigers are the only SEC team still undefeated at home this season. Adding in the 99-81 win over No. 16 Alabama last week, they’ve scored 200 points over their last two games at Neville Arena.

How did Auburn fans celebrate? By setting up camp for Saturday’s game vs. Kentucky, of course. College Gameday will also be in town for the monster showdown.

Auburn students wasted no time…the South Carolina game ended less than an hour ago and sights are already set on Kentucky.

66 hours until tipoff and tents are already pitched. @AuburnMBB @CollegeGameDay pic.twitter.com/sJcRZPv7Ra

— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) February 15, 2024

pic.twitter.com/xTCHEr6NRu

— Dr. Wonder Woman (@amandalaurenm) February 15, 2024

The usual jokes about Kentucky being everybody’s Super Bowl ring a little hollow when you consider just how good Auburn looked last night. The Tigers led 50-28 at halftime. Big men Johni Broome and Jaylin Williams hit a combined nine threes to keep South Carolina well outside striking distance. They’re now calling themselves the Splash Bros, by the way.

Here’s the clip of Johni Broome and Jaylin Williams calling themselves the Splash Bros pic.twitter.com/dMrE6KDgfi

— Matt Cohen (@Matt_Cohen_) February 15, 2024

The Gamecocks shot just 34.6% from the floor and turned it over 13 times. The Tigers had 22 assists to just seven turnovers. Auburn is now the only team in the country that is in the top ten of both offensive (No. 9) and defensive (No. 4) efficiency per KenPom.

After watching Auburn hang 101 points on his defense, which ranked first in the SEC in allowing just 64 points per game coming in, South Carolina head coach Lamont Paris could only tip his hat.

“They were really good. We weren’t that good,” Paris said. “That’s what happens when you have that combination. They played some inspired, determined, intentional basketball in their energy, in their demeanor, in their defensive effort…And then they also played very well.”

Auburn and South Carolina are now tied for second in the SEC standings at 9-3, a half-game behind Alabama. Tennessee is fourth at 8-3, followed by Kentucky and Florida at 7-4. To have a shot at the double-bye, the Cats need a win on The Plains on Saturday. If they pull it off, it will be by far the biggest of the season.

Charles Barkley was in the stands for Auburn’s win over Alabama last week. Bo Jackson was there last night, hilariously telling a fan who asked for a selfie to watch the game instead. Bruce Pearl will be foaming at the mouth for what could be Auburn’s fourth straight win over the Cats on The Plains. Sure would be fun to ruin the party.