You can’t take it from me. Butch Thompson, Auburn’s coach, stated the same before the tournament started and Sunday night after State’s remarkable 5-4 victory over the Tigers. Thompson said that State (52-13) was the best team he’d seen, while Vandy (55-11) is his favorite. Look at their records: 107 wins against 24 losses between them. They are the top two teams in America’s best conference. They will meet Tuesday at 6 p.m. (ESPNU), weather permitting. This game could be a significant step towards determining the national champion for this season. Chris Lemonis said Monday, prior to State’s afternoon practices: “Us Vs. Vandy. It’s almost destined that we play.” The catbird seat will go to the winner, to quote Red Barber the great late. The loser will have to fight for their place. The history between these two teams includes last year’s Super Regional in Nashville. This was a great example of college baseball at its best. In the second game, the teams traded walk-off wins and State won in extra innings on Sunday. Tim Corbin, a tired Vandy coach, said that it was like running with someone and that every time you speeded up they went faster. You gotta give (State) credit. They came to our place and they fought and won. Vandy beat All American Ethan Small 1-0 in SEC Tournament. The Tuesday night pitching matchup will be spectacular. Vandy will be joined by Kumar Rocker, a young sensation who threw a no-hitter in the Super Regional against Duke with the Commodores season at stake. Rocker struck out 19 Blue Devils, a feat that made him a Nashville legend. He can throw at 95 mph and his evil curve ball even has its own name, McNasty. State will be defending its position with Peyton Plumlee (an Olive Branch senior) who has been shining lately, shutting down Miami and Stanford in regional play, and then winning the Super Regional. Many expected a freshman All-America matchup between Rocker and JT Ginn. JT Ginn is a well-known legend who refused $2.8 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers in order to play at State. Ginn has been suffering from a sore right arm, and Plumlee has been a great player. There’s more. Lemonis stated that he chose Plumlee for the matchup because “he gives me the best chance.” He has been good against left-handers and six of the nine lefties in their lineup are lefties. They are very similar to the Miami lineup we faced …”. Lemonis said that when Plumlee is good, his fastball has good sinking motion and that can allow our defense to make some plays behind him. State’s infield defense must be very proficient because of this. This is a warning that if the State team has a weakness it’s likely to be in their infield defense. Plumlee’s sinker on the mound against Vanderbilt is proof that you can’t be leaked with his pitching skills. According to Tanner Allen, first baseman, Plumlee’s teammates have the greatest faith in Plumlee. Allen stated, “It’s no problem to give the ball Plumlee.” Look at how he has pitched in the last few weeks. He pitches every game as if it were his last. We appreciate him for being a fighter.” It is possible that rain will affect the showdown. They’ll both play, and it should be a great fight.