When it comes to the start of her Southeastern Conference schedule, Auburn women’s basketball coach Nell Fortner isn’t pulling any punches.
The SEC schedule-makers certainly didn’t take it easy on Fortner: Three of Auburn’s first four games are against SEC powers Tennessee, Georgia and LSU. That trio has combined to win 19 of the last 20 SEC titles.
It’s a fearsome opening lineup. Tennessee is ranked second nationally in the latest Associated Press poll; Georgia is No. 10, LSU No. 11.
Speaking at a press conference Tuesday morning, Fortner didn’t sound happy that her team had to see all three in the first three weeks of SEC play.
“I don’t think it’s fair, I don’t think it’s right, that the schedule was that,” Fortner said. “I think it’s very tough on a team to play the top three teams in your league in your first four games.
“I’m not sure how somebody looked at that and said that’s OK.”
AU opens the season today at Tennessee, then hosts Georgia on Sunday. After an early bye week, the Tigers travel to Kentucky Jan. 20 and host LSU Jan. 24.
“I’m not happy about that,” Fortner said. “But we’ve got it, and we’ve accepted that, and we’re going to play it hard and get after it.”
Making matters worse, AU (12-3) isn’t full strength.
Starting point guard Whitney Boddie is still serving an academic suspension. Fortner has consistently declined to give details on the suspension, which has sidelined Boddie since Dec. 17.
Auburn is 2-2 without Boddie. The Tigers are 0-2, with 2-point losses at St. Joseph’s and at home against No. 20 George Washington, since freshman point guard Alli Smalley took over the starting job.
The absence of Boddie has forced Auburn to slow down its fast-paced offense, the key to the Tigers’ 9-0 start.
“The up-tempo style was designed for Whitney Boddie, and her ability to push the tempo of the game and penetrate and open up lanes for her teammates,” Fortner said.
“Alli Smalley is not that kind of a point guard. She is going to be a great point guard, but that’s not her style of play.”
A slower pace isn’t ideal for Auburn, which has plenty of speedy wing players but lacks a conventional post presence.
But against Tennessee, it could pay dividends.
The Volunteers (12-1) lead the SEC in scoring, at 82.5 points per game. The last thing Auburn wants is a fast-paced, high-scoring game.
Fortner hopes her team can slow things down, make open jump shots and force a few Tennessee mistakes.
It won’t be easy. UT boasts one of the nation’s top players, forward Candace Parker. When asked how she planned to defend Parker, Fortner joked that she might ask UT head coach Pat Summitt to allow the Tigers to use six players on defense.
It’s worth a try, because conventional defenses don’t appear to work: Parker, the reigning SEC Player of the Year, leads the conference with 21.5 points per game.
Today’s game is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and will be broadcast on Fox Sports Net (Channel 26 in Lee County).

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No. 22 Auburn at No. 2 Tennessee
Where: Thompson-Boling Arena, Knoxville, Tenn.
When: 6 p.m.
TV/Radio: Fox Sports Net (Channel 26) / 96.7 FM
Records: Auburn 12-3; Tennessee 12-1
Scouting Report: Auburn couldn’t have asked for a tougher assignment to start SEC play: A trip to perennial powerhouse Tennessee. The Volunteers average an SEC-leading 82.5 points per game, led by conference scoring leader Candace Parker’s 21.5 ppg. Auburn is still without starting point guard Whitney Boddie, who is serving an academic suspension.

Projected Starters, Tennessee: PG Shannon Bobbitt, 5-2 Sr. (9.5 points, 4.4 assists per game); SG Alexis Hornbuckle, 5-11 Sr. (12.2 points, 5.5 rebounds); SF Angie Bjorklund, 6-0 Fr. (10.7 points, 3.6 rebounds); PF Candace Parker, 6-4 Jr. (21.5 points, 8.5 rebounds); C Nicky Anosike, 6-5 Sr. (9.2 points, 6.6 rebounds)

Projected Starters, Auburn: PG Alli Smalley, 5-9 Fr. (11.0 points, 2.7 assists per game); G Tamela McCorvey, 5-9 Sr. (8.5 points, 3.2 assists); G Sherell Hobbs, 5-11 Jr. (11.7 points, 5.5 rebounds); F DeWanna Bonner, 6-4 Jr. (17.3 points, 10.4 rebounds); F Jordan Greenleaf, 6-1 So. (6.1 points, 5.5 rebounds);