MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (AP) — Virginia’s Braxton Key just can’t get away from Auburn.
The 6-foot-8 junior transferred after two seasons at Alabama, and received a waiver from the NCAA to play right away this season instead of having to sit out a year. Yet his first year with the Cavaliers now has him set to play the Tigers —Alabama’s fiercest rival— in Saturday’s national semifinals.
Key said he’s heard from “a lot of my frat friends, former teammates, everyone” from his Alabama days about the importance of beating Key’s (former) instate rival.
This will be the sixth time Key has faced Auburn. He scored 18 points and 17 points in two meetings during the 2016-17 season, but managed a total of 24 points in three meetings last season.