Jabari Smith stars, shows why Auburn is so dangerous in tourney debut
GREENVILLE, S.C. – We have seen several instances of players taking over in the NCAA Tournament and leading their team on an incredible run — from Kemba Walker to Carmelo Anthony to Anthony Davis. Auburn freshman Jabari Smith played like a guy capable of going on a similar type of run Friday afternoon against Jacksonville State.
Smith led the Tigers to a dominant 80-61 victory over the Gamecocks, scoring 20 points and grabbing 14 rebounds in the win. Auburn looked nothing like the team that struggled and lost its first game of the SEC Tournament last week, and Smith was a big reason why.
“We played well,” Tigers coach Bruce Pearl said. “If people hadn’t seen Auburn much this year and they saw us play today, they would think we’re pretty good. But it’s one game. See if we can build on it.”
Smith showed off his complete game against the Gamecocks, knocking down shots with his silky smooth stroke, leading the Tigers with 14 rebounds and setting up teammates with four assists.
Afterwards, he said he was just thankful to get a win.
“It felt good just to get the first one out of the way. First one’s the hardest one, I feel like,” Smith said. “I’ve been ready to play since that buzzer went off in Tampa. … I’m ready for the next one.”
If the first game is going to be Smith’s hardest of the tournament, everyone remaining in the Midwest Region better watch out.
Auburn has several talented pieces around Smith, including big man Walker Kessler, who was a block away from a triple double. The Tigers also have a group of guards that can get as hot as any in the country.
But Smith is a special talent, capable of making plays that perhaps no one else in the country can.
He had one of those plays late in the second half against the Gamecocks, producing what could end up being the highlight of the tournament. Smith soared over Jacksonville State big man Brandon Huffman and threw down a dunk that was going viral on social media within seconds.
“Oh my God … Did y’all see that? That was crazy,” Auburn guard K.D. Johnson said. “I didn’t know he was going to do that. He never did that in practice. That was the first time he showed me he can get that high, so that was crazy.”
But it wasn’t just that dunk that stood out. Perhaps the most impressive part about Smith’s performance is just how efficient he was.
The Georgia native needed only 13 shots to put up his 20 points.
“Jabari is ultra-competitive. He wants the ball, but he’s not a pig. He’s not a hog. It’s not about him,” Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said. “It’s about us trying to win. He knows he can win it for us. We got [No.] 10, and they don’t.”
Jacksonville State didn’t have No. 10, and no one remaining in Auburn’s path does, either.
If the freshman continues to play like this, a couple of weeks from now we very well could see this Auburn team in the Final 4 and Smith in position to be the No. 1 overall pick.
“He’s got a lot of Kevin Durant in him,” Jacksonville State coach Ray Harper said. “I would say he’s got a lot of that in his game, and boy is he going to be a great pro.”
