The sign on Nell Fortner’s door says it all.

The door to Fortner’s office in Auburn’s Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum is decorated with a simple sign. It lists a four-game stretch of schedule for the Auburn women’s basketball coach and her players.

Next to “at Alabama,” the first game in the sequence, someone has scrawled “1-0.”

It’s the Tigers’ “second season.”

Before Southeastern Conference play even started, Fortner told her players to divide the 14-game SEC schedule into “mini-seasons.” The first four-game season ended with AU’s
Jan. 24 loss to LSU. The second four games began with last Sunday’s 62-48 win at Alabama.

Each of the next three games — starting today at home against Mississippi State and continuing with games at Florida and at Arkansas — pits Auburn against an opponent with a .500 or worse record in conference play.

AU (14-6, 2-3) is also below .500 in SEC play. But a strong run in this “mini-season” can get the Tigers back in position for an NCAA Tournament run.

Fortner knows what’s at stake: The Tigers likely need at least a 7-7 SEC record to make a convincing case for an NCAA berth. Fortner would rather not end up on the bubble.

“With a .500 record, you’re putting it in the committee’s hands to make a decision,” she said. “With a winning record, you’ve done your job.

“Every game is important, and the team knows that. … We’re educating them on what it takes to continue to win, what it takes to get to the NCAA Tournament.”

Consistency on offense is important if Auburn is to take advantage of the current stretch. That starts with star DeWanna Bonner, but it doesn’t end there.

Bonner snapped out of her scoring slump with a 27-point game against Alabama after Fortner criticized her for playing passively against LSU.

“DeWanna was more assertive on Sunday,” Fortner said. “Players of her caliber have to understand that they have to bring that every time you go on the floor. It’s expected of her.”

So far, Bonner is living up to those expectations: She ranks fifth in the SEC with 16 points per conference game.

But she doesn’t have to do it alone. Junior guard Sherell Hobbs has become an increasingly important part of Auburn’s offense.

Hobbs is averaging 15.6 points per game in conference play, including 17 at Alabama. Her consistency has helped take some pressure of Bonner, even if it hasn’t earned her much recognition yet.

“The best thing with Sherell is that she just plays,” Fortner said. “I don’t think she’s worried about people knowing who she is or anything like that. She’s mostly concerned about winning ballgames, which is what makes her special.”

Today’s game starts at 2 p.m. and will not be televised. The first 500 fans to arrive will receive a free Auburn jigsaw puzzle. Also, youth 17 and under wearing a youth sports jersey or Girl Scout t-shirt will be admitted free.

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