GAME RECAP: Auburn 80, Jacksonville State 61

After an opening day of the NCAA Tournament yesterday that saw four double-digit seeds advance, including a 15-seed winning over a 2-seed, it was normal to be a little bit nervous when Auburn tipped against Jacksonville State today. No stress necessary. This one was close for a little while when the Gamecocks were hitting shots early, but Auburn ratcheted up the defense and ran away with its first game in the NCAA Tournament, winning 80-61.

Walker Kessler nearly recorded his third triple-double of the season with a 13 point, 10 rebound, 9 block performance, but Jabari Smith was the star with 20 points, 14 rebounds, and the dunk of the tournament thus far. Auburn ran out an 11-0 spurt to end…