It was a simple question with no simple answers.
The Auburn basketball team opens its Southeastern Conference schedule today against Arkansas in Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum. And AU head coach Jeff Lebo was asked a simple question about his gameplan.
How, a reporter asked, did Lebo plan to defend against the Razorbacks’ big men?
The coach smiled.
“You have any ideas?” he joked.
Lebo was kidding — mostly. But there really aren’t many good options at his disposal.
After all, Arkansas has one of the SEC’s biggest frontcourts. Senior center Steven Hill is one of college basketball’s few true 7-footers, and forwards Charles Thomas, Darian Townes and Michael Washington are all 6-foot-8 or taller.
Auburn’s best interior defender, forward Vot Barber, is out at least a month with a broken hand. The loss of Barber — one of four AU scholarship players sidelined at the moment — leaves AU vulnerable against Arkansas’ frontcourt, at least on paper.
Arkansas’ players certainly believe it.
“I think we know where the heart is on our basketball team, which is the post,” Razorbacks guard Patrick Beverly told the Baxter (Ark.) Bulletin. “If we continue to work it inside out, that gives us our best opportunity to win.”
Arkansas (11-3) hasn’t always stuck to that gameplan: Hill has played sparingly, and Washington has scored in double figures just twice this season. But Townes and Thomas have come on strong recently, averaging a combined 24.8 points in Arkansas’ last six games.
Auburn (9-3) will counter that size the only way it can: With a four-guard lineup. Lebo hopes his players’ speed and quickness will make up for a lack of size.
The Tigers don’t have any other choice. Freshman Boubacar Sylla, AU’s only 7-footer, hasn’t played since November and might be out for the rest of the year. Forward Josh Dollard, a versatile 6-foot-7, will miss the entire season.
And the SEC season will be at least half over by the time Barber returns.
So Lebo and the Tigers will have to make do with what they have: A lineup that features 6-foot-8 Quan Prowell at center and slender 6-foot-4 forward Frank Tolbert at power forward.
“It’s kind like going with an offensive line against their defensive line, and you’re 190 (pounds) to their 300,” Lebo said. “It’s just an issue that we’re going to have to deal with and do the best that we can with undersized guys in there.”
Prowell and Tolbert are perimeter-oriented players, as is 6-foot-10 reserve Matt Heramb. But they’ll have to play inside — and play well — for Auburn to have a chance tonight, and for the rest of the SEC season.
“This is what our identity is going to be the rest of the year, without our guys,” Lebo said. “We’re going to have to find a way to be as physical as we can and try to keep it out of the basket area as best as we can.”
Today’s game is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. It will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2 (Channel 29 in Lee County).

| 737-2561

Auburn vs. Arkansas
Where: Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum
When: 8 p.m.
TV/Radio: ESPN2 (Channel 29) / 97.7 FM
Records: Auburn 9-3; Arkansas 11-3
Scouting Report: Auburn begins SEC play at home against Arkansas, one of two nationally televised games for the Tigers this season. AU is still short-handed, with just seven available scholarship players. Arkansas has won nine of its last 11 games and is second in the SEC in scoring defense.

Projected Starters, Arkansas: PG Stefan Welsh, 6-2 So. (5.6 points, 2.7 assists per game); SG Patrick Beverly, 6-1 Sr. (12.4 points, 4.9 rebounds); SF Sonny Weems, 6-6 Sr. (12.0 points, 4.1 rebounds); PF Charles Thomas, 6-8 Sr. (10.1 points, 5.1 rebounds); C Steven Hill, 7-0 Sr. (4.3 points, 3.1 rebounds)

Projected Starters, Auburn: PG DeWayne Reed, 6-1 So. (8.6 points, 3.7 assists per game); G Quantez Robertson, 6-3 Jr. (7.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists); G Rasheem Barrett, 6-5 Jr. (14.0 points, 4.8 rebounds); G Frank Tolbert, 6-4 Sr. (10.1 points, 5.0 rebounds); F Quan Prowell, 6-8 Sr. (14.3 points, 6.0 rebounds)