AU basketball has upper hand vs. Gamecocks

Quantez Robertson and Auburn will enjoy a rare size advantage today vs. South Carolina.

By: OANOW STAFF | Opelika Auburn News
Published: March 01, 2008

Quantez Robertson is used to mismatches.

After all, in Robertson’s three seasons at AU, the Tigers routinely have been one of the Southeastern Conference’s smallest teams. But today, the shoe is on the other foot.

AU (14-12, 4-9 SEC) will have an unaccustomed size advantage against South Carolina. The Gamecocks boast the SEC’s shortest lineup — and one of the league’s worst records.

Of course, size isn’t everything.

At 5-foot-9, USC guard Devan Downey may not be particularly imposing. But his numbers are bigger than his stature: The sophomore leads the SEC with 19.2 points per game.

“Devan Downey is just terrific,” Auburn coach Jeff Lebo said. “I think he’s one of the best players in the country under 6 feet. … When he’s making jump shots from the perimeter, he’s almost unguardable.”

The 6-foot-3 Robertson will likely have to guard Downey and 6-foot backcourt mate Zam Frederick, who averages 15 points per game. But he isn’t worried about — for once — playing the role of Goliath.

In his time at AU, he has guarded players of practically every size, including the likes of 6-foot-9 Alabama center Richard Hendrix. So Downey, one of the league’s quickest players, won’t be a new challenge.

“It really doesn’t matter — it’s going to be tough regardless,” Robertson said. “They’re good ballplayers. I’m just going to try to do what I normally do.”

Thanks to Wednesday’s loss at Mississippi State, Auburn is guaranteed a losing SEC record for the fifth consecutive season. But that doesn’t mean Robertson and his teammates have nothing to play for today.

The Tigers are in a four-way tie with Alabama, LSU and Ole Miss for third place in the SEC’s Western Division. With home games remaining against USC and Georgia — the fifth- and sixth-place teams, respectively, in the SEC East — the Tigers have a chance for a respectable finish in the West standings.

Today’s game begins at 5 p.m. and will be televised on Fox Sports Net (Channel 26 in Lee County). The first 500 children — ages 14 and under — admitted to today’s game will receive a free AU basketball.

cmickle@oanow.com | 737-2561