There’s no way to hide it: Frank Tolbert is slowing down.

But don’t worry. It’s a good thing.

Tolbert, a senior guard, has been one of the Auburn basketball team’s bright spots over the Tigers’ last four Southeastern Conference games. \

He averaged 20 points per game over that stretch, culminating in a career-best 32 points in a narrow loss at Vanderbilt.

Not bad for a player hobbled by a sore ankle and slowed by a bruised shin.

And it all started when Tolbert decided that faster isn’t always better.

He spent the first three years of his Auburn career going all-out from the opening whistle until the final whistle. His dives — onto the floor, into the sideline seating, over the scorer’s table — were crowd-pleasers.

But playing 100 miles per hour wasn’t always best for Tolbert — or his team.

The all-out style that delighted fans often led to foul trouble and injuries.

This season, Tolbert has been showcasing the benefits of playing under control. He is averaging 12.6 points and 5.5 rebounds in 29.2 minutes per game.

“It’s just a matter of me controlling myself,” he said, “trying not to do too much, trying to slow myself down.”

Of course, the transition hasn’t been perfect. Tolbert occasionally shows signs of his old wild ways, as when he racked up three fouls in about 90 seconds in Saturday’s loss at Vanderbilt.

“He has his moments,” Auburn head coach Jeff Lebo said. “Not as much as he used to. He still has those little segments … those kinds of things.”

Still, the change is remarkable. Equally remarkable, Tolbert is putting up big numbers despite playing out of position at power forward. At 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, he is hardly suited to play the post in the rugged Southeastern Conference.

But he does what he has to do, relying on quickness and effort to hold his own with the SEC’s powerful big men.

“It’s been a tough battle, but I just try to hold my own down there,” Tolbert said. “I guess it’s just heart. I just take pride in not letting my man score.”

Tolbert — and all the Tigers — will face another tough inside test tonight against Kentucky. The Wildcats (10-9, 4-2) boast one of the SEC’s top inside players in freshman forward Patrick Patterson.

The 6-foot-8, 232-pound Patterson averages 17.1 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. He also boasts a four-inch and 20-pound edge on Tolbert.

Just another day in the office for the SEC’s smallest power forward.

“I feel for him,” Lebo said of Tolbert. “He gets pounded in there, but he still bounces back and plays. It’s hard on him.

“But he’s a warrior. No matter what, he’s out there trying to do what we ask him to do.”

Tolbert is doing whatever he’s asked; as quickly — or as slowly — as he has to.

Today’s game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. and will be televised on Fox Sports Net (Channel 26 in Lee County).

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Kentucky at Auburn
Where: Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum

When: 7 p.m.

TV/Radio: Fox Sports Net (Channel 26)/ 97.7 FM

Records: Auburn 12-8 (2-5 SEC), Kentucky 10-9 (4-2 SEC)

Scouting Report: Auburn, which has lost its last three SEC games, faces suddenly surging Kentucky tonight at Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum. The Wildcats have won three consecutive games and four of their last six and are over .500 for the first time since Dec. 15, when they were 4-3. Kentucky has won 22 of its last 23 games against AU.

Projected Starters, Kentucky: PG Ramel Bradley, 6-2 Sr. (15.8 points, 3.3 assists per game); SG Joe Crawford, 6-5 Sr. (16.6 points, 3.7 rebounds); F Ramon Harris, 6-6 So. (3.7 points, 3.4 rebounds); F Mark Coury, 6-8 So. (2.8 points, 2.6 rebounds); F Patrick Patterson, 6-8 Fr. (17.1 points, 9.1 rebounds)

Projected Starters, Auburn: PG DeWayne Reed, 6-1 So. (9.8 points, 4.1 assists per game); G Quantez Robertson, 6-3 Jr. (7.2 points, 5.0 rebounds); G Rasheem Barrett, 6-5 Jr. (13.5 points, 4.3 rebounds); G Frank Tolbert, 6-4 Sr. (12.6 points, 5.5 rebounds); F Quan Prowell, 6-8 Sr. (14.0 points, 6.2 rebounds)