The 2020-21 college basketball season just ended on Monday but many are already taking a look at what can happen next season.
For Auburn, that means the departure of Sharife Cooper to the NBA Draft while J.T. Thor is testing the waters. Justin Powell, Jamal Johnson and Javon Franklin are also gone after entering the NCAA Transfer Portal.
So why does Seth Davis of The Athletic have the Tigers in his top 25? It comes down to the pure talent of a few incoming players in Jabari Smith, Trey Alexander and College of Charleston transfer Zep Jasper.
Davis has Bruce Pearl’s team at No. 25 in his way-too-early rankings.
Cooper’s decision to enter the NBA Draft was no surprise, but Powell’s decision to transfer was a big blow to the Tigers, who were one of the youngest teams in the country last season. Flanigan could look at the draft as well, but if he comes back that will give Bruce Pearl two of his top four scorers from last season. The biggest reason to rank Auburn is the addition of Smith, whom 247Sports ranks as the No. 5 player in the Class of 2021. Jasper is no Cooper, but the College of Charleston transfer put up solid numbers (15.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists) last season.
The return of Thor would also be huge for the Tigers if he is to skip this year’s draft and play his sophomore season on the Plains.
Overall, it is positive to see Auburn getting some hype going into next season.