Rick Barnes seems to be taking the SEC Tourney seriously after early exits the past two years, as dousing a hot Texas on Friday suggests. Not sure, however, Bruce Pearl is doing the same after the Tigers labored for a 62-57 win over a lethargic Ole Miss. We wouldn't blame Pearl for not minding if Auburn lost in Nashville; playing three games in three days in front of the Big Dance can be problematic, and Pearl knows how deep the Vols and Alabama advanced in the Dance last March after losing games out of the chute in the SEC Tourney. UT pushed Auburn Jan. 25 on the Plains, losing only 53-51, Auburn hitting just 30% from the floor. Play Tennessee (SEC at Nashville)