The Auburn Tigers weren't expected to do well before the season began, as they were picked to finish ninth in the SEC Preseason Media Poll. That was before an FBI Scandal rocked the program as two of their top four leading scorers from last year were suspended for the season.

Still, the team had overcome the odds and had the inside track to a top-two seed when they faced the South Carolina Gamecocks in the middle of February while boasting a 23-3 record. Unfortuantely, their primary rim protector in Anfernee McLemore -- who was leading the team at the time with 2.7 blocks per game and an excellent 92.8 defensive efficiency rating -- suffered a gruesome season-ending injury.

The Tigers went on to lose that game against the Gamecocks and went 2-3 after it. While winning just two out of their final six games isn't solely a product of the loss of McLemore, it was a big blow for a team with already such thin depth after the preseason suspensions. Auburn still ranks 13th in nERD entering Sunday's games, but without their best interior defender, they may be overrated come tournament time.