Toward the end of February, the college basketball season can start to feel more and more like a grind.

It can even feel like it’s starting to drag for some, with some teams and players just looking to get themselves to the end of the year or get the NCAA Tournament started before their resume takes any more damage.

Auburn still has plenty to play for, sitting a few more wins away from a conference title and trying to stay in position for the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. However, the Tigers have built their resume to where one game won’t do much to change their standing in the March Madness field.

The same can’t be said for Auburn’s opponents, though. Georgia, the Tigers’ upcoming opponent, sits firmly on the bubble, landing in the First Four Out in Joe Lunardi’s latest bracketology.

“I think the Auburn game there, where they were undefeated at home and nationally ranked, that was one of their bigger games,” Bruce Pearl told reporters Friday. “And I think this one here now simply because of what the math does for them.”

Georgia isn’t the only team Auburn has played or will play late in the season that stands to gain a lot from a win over the Tigers. Wednesday night against Arkansas was a similar story.

The Razorbacks are also on the bubble, and a spirited performance on the road got them within a few minutes of knocking off the No. 1 team in the country. A win would have likely put Arkansas into the field for the moment, and the Razorbacks even took a lead in the game with just over three minutes left.

“The difference between 12-1 and 4-9 was seven points at home, and it was and with three minutes left to go, a 4-9 team had a three-point lead,” Pearl said. “So, what’s the difference between us and Arkansas? A little difference. So, yeah, it tells you that all 40 minutes matter.”

Pearl and his players understand that Georgia poses the same threat, especially considering Auburn won by just two points in Athens earlier this season.

“We’ve got to understand that those guys are trying to ruin our season, but we’re playing for a lot more than just this game and the next game,” said Auburn senior forward Chris Moore. “We’re taking it one game at a time, for sure.”

Auburn was without star center Johni Broome in the first meeting with Georgia, adding to what made the Tigers’ trip to Athens so difficult. Broome will be back for this meeting, something that Pearl called a boost on both ends of the floor in the rematch.

It should help Auburn most on offense, as the Tigers shot 36.8% from 2-point range in Athens.

Either way, Georgia’s defense is talented enough to give Auburn issues, similar to how Arkansas did Wednesday night. Also like the Razorbacks, Georgia knows a win can change its season.

Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkus or email him at [email protected]m