The Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers each made sizable jumps in the latest version of the men’s basketball AP Poll.
Auburn has risen up to No. 12, bouncing back from an 0-2 week with two road losses that saw the Tigers drop from No. 8 to No. 16. The Tigers bludgeoned Vanderbilt at home last Wednesday followed by a huge road win over Ole Miss on Saturday.
Alabama had a huge week as well with a comeback win on the road at Georgia followed up by a 99-67 beatdown at home over a quality Mississippi State team that may have been the Tide’s best complete performance of the season.
The Tide rose eight spots as a result from No. 24 to No. 16, one spot behind South Carolina and one spot ahead of Kentucky.
The rise in ranking for both teams sets up a second epic clash on The Plains coming up on Wednesday night.
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Alabama is looking to sweep Auburn for the second straight year in one of the most difficult environments to play in college basketball at Neville Arena.
Auburn, meanwhile, will seek what would be a massive win over an Alabama team that sits just one game ahead of them in the SEC standings with the Tide in first at 8-1 and the Tigers at 7-2.
The Iron Bowl of Basketball has quickly become one of the best rivalries in the sport, and with both teams trending up we should be in for another classic on Wednesday.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP
