Auburn saw – and lost to – the best the SEC has to offer in Tennessee last Sunday.

After a week to reflect, the Tigers (12-8, 5-2 SEC) take on South Carolina (12-9, 4-4) at Auburn Arena today at 2 p.m.

“It helps (the players) mentally, as much as it does physically, to be able to focus on schoolwork a little bit,” Auburn coach Nell Fortner said of the Tigers’ layoff. “It just gives them a break, but they are ready to get back out there. We are looking forward to getting back on the court.”

Auburn was hamstrung by the Volunteers’ superior size and speed the last time out, giving up large chunks of points both in the paint and in transition in a 73-53 loss.

South Carolina is not a team that’s going to light up the scoreboard – the Gamecocks average only 59.2 points per game – but it has shown the ability to win games with defense.

The Gamecocks handed Georgia its first conference loss of the season, 57-48, on Thursday, holding the Bulldogs to 34.5-percent shooting and forcing 16 turnovers.

“They are coming in here on a high and we are coming in off a bye on Thursday, so hopefully we can use that rest and preparation time to have a great effort on Sunday,” Fortner said. “When you get into the middle of conference play, everyone is fighting hard for wins anytime you can play. We will be at home and we will be fighting hard to get a home win.“

Fortner takes on a familiar face today in Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley.

Staley played under Fortner on the 1996 and 2000 USA Olympic teams, both of which won gold medals.

The two have faced off as coaches three times, with Staley winning twice.

“She is a tremendous point guard and a real pleasure to coach,” Fortner said. “I have a great amount of respect for Dawn, who she was as a player and what she is doing with her team at South Carolina.”

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