Avery Johnson knew what this game meant, maybe more than he has before. He coaches Alabama, and the opponent was Auburn. Everything else was just details.
In preparation for Wednesday's invasion by the SEC-leading and 17th-ranked Tigers, Johnson said, "I talked more about the rivalry than I have in the past."
He and his team remembered the way Auburn celebrated here and there a year ago in sweeping the Crimson Tide. Johnson was keenly aware that he was 1-3 against Bruce Pearl.
"I just thought everybody understood the magnitude of this game," Johnson said.