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Posted: Sunday November 07, 1999 06:33 PM

Auburn

1998-99 record

29-4 overall, 14-2 SEC (lost to Ohio State in NCAA third round)

Coach

Cliff Ellis, 96-59 (5 years); 444-271 overall

Projected starting lineup

G Doc Robinson, 6-2, Sr. Alabama native whose +2.44 turnover-to-assist ratio was second-best in the SEC last year will start for fourth straight season. G Scott Pohlman, 6-2, Jr. Tigers' forgotten starter was second on team in scoring (11.8) last year and has started all but one game in his career. C Mamadou N'diaye, 7-0, Sr. The big man from Senegal went to Pete Newell's camp to work on all-around game, already a defensive force (77 blocks last year). F Chris Porter, 6-7, Sr. Only Auburn and Mississippi State recruited him out of high school, made the biggest impact of any JUCO player this side of Scoonie Penn (Ohio State) last year. F Daymeon Fishback, 6-5, Sr. Former Mr. Basketball in Kentucky as prepster has looked the best in the preseason, solid outside shooter.

Top guy off the bench

F Mack McGadney, 6-7, So. Youngster averaged 14.3 points during Porter's three-game suspension last year, must improve shot selection.

Key Newcomer

G Adam Harrington, 6-5, Bernardston, Mass. Transfer from North Carolina State won't be able to play this year, but he's the only newcomer on Tigers' roster. Will be counted on heavily when Auburn is without its four seniors next year.

Key Games

vs. Stanford (John Wooden Classic, Anaheim, Calif.) (Nov. 27), Early measuring stick. vs. Kentucky (Jan. 11), second SEC game will be one of its toughest. at Florida (Feb. 27), Toughest conference road game could decide regular season championship.

Outlook

There's no reason to think the Tigers won't repeat as regular season champions. Coach Cliff Ellis says he doesn't mind being the hunted. "It's a great position to be in," he said. "People want to be where we are today. I would rather be in this position than not." Bryant Smith, the only player the Tigers lost from last year's club, will be missed more than most people think. Smith was Auburn's defensive stopper and Ellis admits there's nobody in the program who can fill that role as effectively. "We'll have to make it up in other areas," Ellis said. The key will be Porter, who said he never seriously considered leaving for the NBA although his coach thought he was pretty serious. If he's able to add a consistent outside shot to his game, he might be unguardable.

Tigers' 1999-00 schedule

 

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