Auburn may not be what it used to be when the likes of Charles Barkley wore the blue and orange but the Tigers, at least according to Coach Cal, understand what it takes to win.
Their record this season, not good. Just 8-8 in fact, but minus the one bad loss to Murray State early in the year, Auburn has been right there with some top teams.
Just a few games back, at the time No. 12 Illinois, was taken to the brink by the Tigers. Auburn lost by just two (81-79).
And most recently, Auburn dropped a 88-80 double-overtime game to Arkansas.
So tonight could be a tough test for Kentucky, who is also playing without freshman big-man Willie Cauley-Stein who stayed in Lexington to receive treatment on his injured knee.
The basketball Cats struggled on the road last year at Auburn and Cal thinks tonight's game could present just as many problems as last season without WCS in the lineup.
The Cats led by just four at the half at Auburn last year, 32-28, and even trailed at one point in the second half close to the 12-minute mark after Chris Denson hit a jumper to take the lead 45-43.
This season, Cal expects the same type of dogfight from the Tigers.
The game is sold out. The first one to be packed since the Cats last came to town last year.
Right now, Cal's friend Tony Barbee has his team buying into his system, something Calipari is still trying to get his team to do...before it's too late.
Check out the video to hear from Cal on tonight's match-up with Auburn.
