Brendon Knox has had no trouble embracing the increased ribbing he’s received from his teammates over the past few days.

It all started when Knox had the best game of his Auburn career Wednesday, when he had 6 points, four rebounds and two blocks against Arkansas, the bulk of which came during a game-changing run in the second half.

Knox, a junior-college transfer, had a tough time wiping the smile off his face at his first-ever postgame press conference. He had to stare at the ground with an embarrassed look on his face, though, when jokester Lucas Hargrove loudly announced that “Brendon Knox played good” as he took his seat behind the dais.

One day later, Auburn players stormed out of the “hotbox” — the Tigers’ practice court when Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum is occupied — after a three-hour practice, but Knox had media obligations. The players straggling behind did their best to crack Knox’s composure during the interview, but Knox took it in stride.

Twenty-four hours had little to no effect on Knox’s big grin.

“It took a little time to get used to it,” Knox said of the amped-up, Division I competition. “But I feel like I’m coming along now.”

Knox’s seemingly slow transition may be a bit skewed because the 6-foot-9 forward hasn’t really had the luxury of a gradual learning process, as he came to a team in dire need of size. Knox saw minutes immediately, but had looked clumsy up until Wednesday, resulting in sparse playing time.

But when fellow bench bigman Johnnie Lett went down with a badly sprained ankle two weeks ago, coach Jeff Lebo was left with no choice. Give Knox substantial minutes or risk running Korvotney Barber into the ground.

“He gets a little confused at times, trying to comprehend everything and then do it at the speed we like it to be done,” Lebo said. “I think he’s getting much more confident and comfortable. He can really help us.”

Knox and Lebo each said that the forward has been showing signs in practice that he really does belong with an SEC team. During his early struggles, which were amplified with an early-season illness, Knox said he talked frequently with assistant coach Tim Craft and others to help keep his confidence afloat.

“It was frustrating at first,” Knox said. “They told me to keep with it, keep going, so I said, ’You know what, you keep practicing hard, hopefully some good will come out of it.’ And it did.”

Another big effort from Knox might be required today if the Tigers have any hopes of downing Mississippi State to move to 5-5 in SEC play. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. at Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum and the game will be broadcast on Fox Sports South (Channel 33 in Lee County).

The Bulldogs (16-8, 6-3) boast one of the best centers in college basketball in Jarvis Varnado. The 6-foot-9 junior leads the nation with 4.9 blocks per game and is second in the SEC with 9.5 rebounds per contest.

“He may block five, but he may alter 10 more,” Lebo said. “And, mentally, all the guys know that he’s around and it’s certainly something you have to deal with there. Not only do you worry about him on the defensive end, blocking shots, but offensively he’s a factor, too.”

Varnado leads the Bulldogs with a 13.1 points-per-game average. Knox, meanwhile, chips in just 2.2, but said he’s up for an encore of Wednesday night.

“It’s exciting. Can’t wait,” Knox said. “He’s one of the best big men, if the not the best big man, in the SEC. So it’ll be great.”

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