re: which way would be better fo au in sec tourney

I know. You're spot on about so many games being "what if"s. A coach is allowed some games like that. They happen. Barbee is the master of that though. Hell, Auburn is up 16 in the first half and dominating then Vandy puts two WALK-ONS onto the floor due to foul trouble and cuts it to 5 before Auburn hits a bucket (FINALLY) to end half. Auburn could easily have stepped on the throat and had the game won at half.