Takeaways from Auburn’s double-overtime loss to UConn

What a game.

What a game.

The Auburn Tigers found themselves up by 11 early, then down by 15, then tied at the end of both regulation and overtime. But unfortunately, the offense sputtered out in a 115-109 double-overtime loss to UConn in the Battle 4 Atlantis. A tough one, for sure, but man was that fun.

Auburn fans should not be distraught after losing. That was a phenomenal game that showed so much potential. The Tigers allowed UConn to make 8-of-12 from deep in the first half but managed to slow the Huskies’ shooting down just enough to climb back into the contest.

Here are five takeaways from the loss.

Sharife Cooper near the top of 2021 NBA draft big board

Sharife Cooper has yet to play collegiate basketball but is already expected to be a top pick in the 2021 NBA draft. 

Sharife Cooper has yet to play collegiate basketball but is already expected to be a top pick in the 2021 NBA draft.

The 6-foot point guard is Auburn’s highest-rated signee in program history and has the capability to become the program’s second ever one-and-done and Bryan Kalbrosky has him just outside the top 10 on his latest big board for the 2021 draft.

“Sharife Cooper was named the USA TODAY High School Sports All-USA Player of the Year as a junior in April 2019. He became the first non-senior to ever win MaxPreps National Player of the Year honors, leading McEachern High to an undefeated season and a Georgia state title in 2018-19. He also made First Team All-EYBL on the D1 Circuit while playing for the AOT Running Rebels, averaging 23.9 points with 4.5 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game.”

Cooper is expected to be in charge of an Auburn team that will be replacing its six highest scoring players from a season ago.