If Jeff Lebo had the ability, he might just rub an eraser over today’s break from SEC play and begin preparing for Saturday’s game against Vanderbilt.

Such are the circumstances, though, as Auburn hosts Division I independent Texas Pan-American in a game that can really do nothing but hurt the Tigers’ momentum.

But that’s only if they let it, Lebo said.

“It is always a little unnerving for a coach when you step out of conference play in the middle of the conference season,” Lebo said. “Hopefully, our kids will be mature enough to keep the task at hand and try to build some momentum that we gathered with a big win against Arkansas.”

Auburn put forth arguably its best performance Saturday on the road against the Hogs.

In the first half, Auburn couldn’t miss, hitting eight of its 10 3-point attempts. When those shots weren’t falling in the second half, Auburn pounded the ball inside to Korvotney Barber and Lucas Hargrove, which helped power the Tigers to the most lopsided victory by a visitor in Bud Walton Arena history.

What didn’t change from half to half was the Tigers’ smothering defense, which limited the Hogs to just 30 percent shooting from the field and held them scoreless for the final 6:35.

Auburn leads the SEC in scoring defense, allowing 61.4 points per game, and is also the steals leader (10.1 per game).

The difference, Lebo said, has been the presence of Barber. With Barber out the majority of the 2007-08 season with a broken hand, Lebo was forced to insert small forward Frank Tolbert at center.

Auburn is still small, as it will play as many as four guards at a time, but the realignment has put most everyone back at their respective comfort zones.

“We are bigger and more experienced,” Lebo said. “DeWayne Reed is playing most of the point and we’ve taken Quantez Robertson, who is an excellent off-the-ball defender, and played him at the two-three position. That has really helped us.”

Auburn has noticeably stepped up its intensity on offense and defense since its 14-game trek through a ho-hum non-conference schedule. At times, the Tigers played down to their noticeably weaker competition, as they survived a close call to Alabama State and lost to Mercer.

That stigma will surely be tested tonight against the Broncs.

“I hope our team plays with some confidence,” Lebo said. “We still have to have good attention to detail in a game where you step out of conference and may not be ready mentally.

“The game can come up and sting you in that situation.”

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