bruce pearl – Syndication Server

Auburn moves up in AP Poll following undefeated week

The Tigers continued moving up the AP Poll after another dominant week.

The Auburn Tigers continued a phenomenal start to the basketball season last week. After jumping from No. 11 in the AP Poll to No. 5 following a sizzling start behind wins over Vermont and Houston, the Tigers moved up again, to No. 4, entering the third week of the young campaign.

With most of the top-ranked squads in the nation hosting games against inferior competition, [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag]’s Tigers did not have much room for improvement, although they did take advantage of rival Alabama‘s near loss to McNeese followed by a road loss to Purdue. The uneven play by the Crimson Tide sent them all the way down to No. 8 in the AP Poll, while Purdue moved ahead of Alabama, to No. 6.

While the Tigers are still ranked outside of the top 3, Bruce Pearl’s squad did receive more first-place votes (3) than No. 3 ranked Gonzaga (2). The Tigers continued dominance to start the season also leaves plenty of opportunity for Johni Broome, Denver Jones, and company to garner enough attention to earn the No. 1 ranking with a tournament championship at the Maui Invitational.

The Tigers start the tournament against No. 5 Iowa State on Monday and have a chance to match up against No. 2 UConn and No. 10 ranked North Carolina as well. Victories over at least two of those top-ranked teams should hypothetically be enough for the voters to vault Auburn into the at least the No. 2 spot heading into December.

Auburn is now the highest-ranked SEC team in the AP Poll for the first time this season. Alabama (8), Kentucky (9), Tennessee (11), Arkansas (20), Florida (21), and Texas A&M (23), make up the remaining six teams nationally ranked in the conference.

Tigers remain kings of ‘The Jungle’, topple Lions 102-69

The No. 3 ranked Tigers continued a ridiculously impressive non-conference run at Neville Arena with the win.

This story was updated to add new information

The Auburn Tigers continued a ridiculously impressive non-conference run on Monday night, again defeating an inferior North Alabama squad by a wide margin, 102-69, at Neville Arena. [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag]’s squad is now 4-0 heading into their toughest stretch of the season, beginning next week with the ‘Maui Invitational’.

While the score was lopsided, Monday’s contest was fairly back-and-forth during a mostly competitive first half. North Alabama held the lead as late as 15 minutes into the game, thanks in large part to the outstanding play of junior guard Jacari Lane (16 points), who was at his most effective early on.

The Lions held the lead late in the frame after a Canin Jefferson 3-point put them ahead 33-32 lead with 5:12 to go in the opening frame, but things were pretty much all Auburn from there. Johni Broome 11 points over the half’s final 5 minutes helped the Tigers re-take a 13-point lead into the locker room.

Auburn’s momentum from the final minutes of the first half carried into the final 20 minutes, as the quartet of Denver Jones (13 points), Chad Baker-Mazara (12 points), Miles Kelly (12 points), and Dylan Cardwell (12 points) all finished in double-figures to help supplement an Auburn career-high 30-point performance from Johni Broome. Juniors Presly Patterson and CJ Williams also had personally historic nights in the blowout win. Patterson late 3-point shot was the first of his Auburn career, while a late jumper by Willaims not only gave Auburn its first 100-point game of the season, but gave Williams his first points as a Tiger as well.

The 102-point, offensive onslaught was Auburn’s best of the young season, which coach Pearl certainly loved to see considering an Iowa State team ranked No. 3 in defensive efficiency this season awaits the Tigers next week. That matchup with Iowa State, which will take place in the first round of the ‘Maui Invitational’ is currently scheduled for Monday, November 25 at 8:00 PM CST. Until then, the No. 3 ranked Auburn Tigers will enjoy another lopsided victory on the Plains.

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Four-star forward Sebastian Williams-Adams commits to Auburn

The nation’s No. 10 forward from the 2025 recruiting cycle announced Sunday that he us taking his talents to the Plains.

Auburn basketball has added another talented player to its 2025 recruiting haul.

[autotag]Sebastian Williams-Adams[/autotag], a four-star forward from Houston, Texas, announced Sunday that he has committed to Auburn. He is the third member of Auburn’s 2025 haul, joining fellow four-star guards [autotag]Kaden Magwood[/autotag] and [autotag]Simon Walker[/autotag].

During a fall visit to the Plains, Williams-Adams told Christian Clemente of Auburn Undercover that Auburn head coach [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag] projected a “family environment” and spent plenty of time with him and his family. When it comes to the ultimate decision maker, Williams-Adams says that Pearl can build a strong future for him.

“Ever since the Top 100 Camp, he has not let it be lost on me that he wants me here and he believes he’s the one to get me to the next level,” Williams-Adams said. “Having that type of confidence from a coach is really refreshing and exciting.”

According to 247Sports, Williams-Adams’s commitment has lifted Auburn to No. 14 nationally in the 2025 recruiting rankings. Auburn also ranks No. 6 in the SEC behind programs such as Arkansas (No. 4), Kentucky (No. 5), and Alabama (No. 10). Williams-Adams is the No. 10 forward from the 2025 cycle and the No. 3 overall recruit from Texas.

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Four-star guard Kiyan Anthony to announce commitment this week

The consensus top 40 recruit in the 2025 class will choose between Auburn, Syracuse, and USC on his father’s podcast Friday morning.

Four-star shooting guard [autotag]Kiyan Anthony[/autotag] will officially announce his commitment on Friday, November 15.

The son of NBA legend Carmelo Anthony, the consensus top 40 recruit in the 2025 class will announce his decision on his father’s podcast when it releases Friday morning.

While Syracuse is the favorite to land Anthony due to his father’s legacy with the Orange, the No. 1 prospect from New York has continually shown interest in attending Auburn and USC during his recruitment process. Anthony announced the Tigers, Trojans, and Orange were in his final three schools back on Oct. 30.

The 6-5, 185-pound shooting guard visited his father’s alma mater back in October of this year. He has also spent time on USC’s campus but has yet to take an official visit to the Plains. If he were to shock the recruiting landscape and commit to Auburn, [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag] would secure a commitment from a top-35-ranked guard for the second straight season. Current Auburn freshman [autotag]Tahaad Pettiford[/autotag], who played his high school basketball just a state over from Anthony in New Jersey, finished his high school career as the No. 32 ranked guard in the 2024 class.

Anthony has yet to begin his senior season at Long Island Lutheran High School, but he should be the focal point of the offense once the regular season tips off. The star prospect most recently averaged nearly 20 points per game this summer during his time playing in the ‘Nike Elite Youth Basketball League’ in July.

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Johni Broome takes home SEC Player of the Week honors

Auburn’s best player has already added the weekly award to his senior season resume.

Auburn forward [autotag]Johni Broome[/autotag] won the first of what is expected to be many accolades during his final collegiate season on Monday. Auburn’s best, and most impactful, player was bestowed SEC Player of the Week honors after leading his Tigers to a perfect 2-0 start to the season.

The 6-10 superstar was solid in Auburn’s opener against Vermont, but erupted into dominant form in the Tigers’ neutral-site win over No. 4 Houston, scoring 20 points alongside nine rebounds, five blocks, three assists, and two steals. Broome now has 32 points, 16 boards, seven blocks, five assists, and three steals through Auburn’s first two contests.

Last season’s SEC Tournament MVP, the Plant City, Florida native has much bigger plans for his final season on the Plains than winning conference player of the week. Still, the honor shows Broome can become the best player in the conference over any given stretch, which could prove pivotal to [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag]’s team’s success throughout a long SEC basketball campaign.

Broome is unlikely to defend his Player of the Week title in the second seven-day stretch of the campaign as Auburn only plays one game this week, on Wednesday against Kent State. The Tigers get busy shortly after that as the team travels to Maui for the Maui Invitational after another home contest against North Alabama.

The Tigers open the Maui Invitational against No. 7 Iowa State on Nov. 25. Broome and Auburn could also face any combination of No. 3 UConn, No. 11 North Carolina, and perennial Final Four threat Michigan State during their stay in Hawaii.

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Bruce Pearl is not ‘celebrating’ blowout win over Vermont

Pearl says that each opponent going forward will present a tougher challenge than the one from Vermont.

Auburn basketball passed its first test on Wednesday but will quickly move on from it and shift their focus to their next opponent, No. 4 Houston.

Following No. 11 Auburn’s 94-43 win over Vermont on Wednesday, head coach [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag] shared that he was pleased with his defense’s ability to “guard without fouling” and his team’s overall execution against Vermont- a team that won the America East last season and has appeared in three-straight NCAA Tournaments.

However, he warned his team and fans alike that Auburn’s next opponent, Houston, will provide another set of challenges.

“Obviously, Saturday at Houston is going to be a completely different matchup. Different team, different size, athleticism, physicality, and so we are not celebrating this,” Pearl said Wednesday. “Don’t read into it too much, other than we shot it really well and played pretty hard.”

The Tigers shot 56% from the field on Wednesday, which included 16 made three-pointers. Defensively, Auburn exposed Vermont’s weakness of poor shooting by forcing the Catamounts to connect on just 26% of their attempted shots while creating 16 turnovers.

Houston defeated Jackson State in its season opener on Monday, 97-40. Four players reached double-figures in points, led by LJ Cryer’s 16. The Cougars also took down Texas A&M in a charity scrimmage before the season, 79-64. Houston and Auburn rank No. 1 and No. 2 respectively in the KenPom following Wednesday’s action, and both spot top-five offenses and defenses ahead of the game.

Auburn will look to earn its first major win of the season on Saturday when it battles Houston at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast live on ESPNU.

A look at Auburn basketball’s 2024-25 schedule

Check out Auburn basketball’s 2024-25 slate ahead of Wednesday’s season-opener!

Auburn basketball returns to action this week, and if you are looking for their 2024-25 schedule, you have come to the right place.

The No. 11 Auburn Tigers won last season’s SEC Tournament but was bounced in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. To prevent a similar fate this season, head coach [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag] has built a schedule filled with teams that will challenge the Tigers, thus preparing them for the NCAA Tournament gauntlet.

The Tigers will face 14 teams that are nationally ranked or receiving votes, heading into the season. In addition to its taxing SEC schedule, Auburn will face No. 4 Houston, No. 5 Duke, No. 6 Iowa State, and No. 14 Purdue. Auburn also faces the possibility of meeting No. 3 UConn and No. 10 North Carolina during its stay at the Maui Invitational this month.

[lawrence-related id=86922]

Pearl says that this season’s schedule should provide opportunities for Auburn to prove their worth on the court.

“I just think from the standpoint of our players, I think our players deserve the opportunity to play against the best and have that great, great challenge. Adversity doesn’t always build character, but adversity will reveal character. We’re going to have some adversity. We’re going to lose some games in non-conference, perhaps more than we have in the past, just because of the strength of the schedule. How do we handle that? How do we bounce back? What do we learn? And obviously getting better throughout the season. Then also if you look at the SEC-ACC matchup, the fact that Alabama and Auburn are both going to North Carolina and Duke and a lot of responsibility in those two matchups because those are going to be two of the hardest games in that matchup, and so I will wear the responsibility of trying to uphold our end, knowing the challenge of going to Duke.”

Here is a look at Auburn’s 2024-25 slate, including start times and networks.

November

Nov. 6 vs. Vermont (7 p.m. CT, SEC Network+)
Nov. 9 at Houston (Toyota Center, Houston, 8:30 p.m. CT, ESPNU)
Nov. 13 vs. Kent State (7 p.m. CT, SEC Network+)
Nov. 18 vs. North Alabama (8 p.m. CT, SEC Network)
Nov. 25 vs. Iowa State (Maui Invitational, 8 p.m. CT, ESPNU)
Nov. 26 vs. TBA (Maui Invitational)
Nov. 27 vs. TBA (Maui Invitational)

December

Dec. 4 at Duke (ACC/SEC Challenge, 8:15 p.m. CT, ESPN)
Dec. 8 vs. Richmond (11 a.m. CT, SEC Network)
Dec. 14 vs. Ohio State (Holiday Hoopsgiving, Atlanta, noon CT, ESPN 2)
Dec. 17 vs. Georgia State (7 p.m. CT)
Dec. 21 vs. Purdue (Legacy Arena, Birmingham, 3:30 p.m. CT, ESPN)
Dec. 30 vs. Monmouth (5:30 p.m. CT, SEC Network+)

January

Jan. 4 vs. Missouri (3 p.m. CT, SEC Network)
Jan. 7 at Texas (8 p.m. CT, ESPN/ESPN 2)
Jan. 11 at South Carolina (Noon CT, SEC Network)
Jan. 14 vs. Mississippi State (6 p.m. CT, SEC Network)
Jan. 18 at Georgia (Noon CT, SEC Network)
Jan. 25 vs. Tennessee (7:30 p.m. CT, ESPN/ESPN 2)
Jan. 29 at LSU (6 p.m. CT, SEC Network)

February

Feb. 1 at Ole Miss (1 or 3 p.m. CT, ESPN/ESPN 2)
Feb. 4 vs. Oklahoma (8 p.m. CT, SEC Network)
Feb. 8 vs. Florida (3 p.m. CT, ESPN/ESPN 2)
Feb. 11 at Vanderbilt (6 p.m. CT, SEC Network)
Feb. 15 at Alabama (3 p.m. CT, ESPN/ESPN 2)
Feb. 19 vs. Arkansas (8 p.m. CT, ESPN/ESPN 2)
Feb. 22 vs. Georgia (3 p.m. CT, ESPN/ESPN 2)
Feb. 26 vs. Ole Miss (6 p.m. CT, ESPN 2/ESPNU)

March

March 1 at Kentucky (noon or 3 p.m. CT, ABC/ESPN)
March 4 at Texas A&M (6 or 8 p.m. CT, ESPN/ESPN 2/ ESPNU)
March 8 vs. Alabama (1 p.m. CT, ESPN)
March 12-16 SEC Tournament (Bridgestone Arena, Nashville)

Auburn takes down FAU in final tune up before season

The Tigers thrashed a 2022 Final Four team in its final preseason tune-up over the weekend.

The Auburn Tigers finished off an undefeated preseason exhibition run with a 102-70 thrashing of the Florida Atlantic Owls on Friday at Neville Arena in Auburn.

FAU, who reached the Final Four two seasons ago before receiving an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament last season, is not expected to contend for another postseason spot this year after head coach Dusty May departed for Michigan in the offseason.

Even with May, and stars such as Johnell Davis, who is now an Arkansas Razorback, no longer with the Owls, the lopsided victory was still an important and impressive result for a Tigers team hoping to reach the Final Four for the first time since 2019 this season. Superstar forward [autotag]Johni Broome[/autotag] led the way for [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag]’s squad, chipping in 15 points and nine rebounds while stuffing the stat sheet with four blocks and a pair of steals as well.

The backcourt quartet of [autotag]Denver Jones[/autotag] (13 points), [autotag]JP Pegues[/autotag] (11 points), [autotag]Tahaad Pettiford[/autotag] (12 points), and [autotag]Miles Kelly[/autotag] (15 points) supplied just over half of the Tigers points in the contest, further cementing the idea that [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag] may possess the deepest and most talented composite of guards since he took over as the Tigers head coach.

With the offensive firepower supplied by the backcourt and Broome, forward [autotag]Chad Baker-Mazara[/autotag] is expected to take a facilitator role in Bruce Pearl’s offense. The senior displayed that fully in the exhibition, finishing with a team-high six assists to go along with his 2 steals and block. Perhaps most impressively, the second-year Tiger turned the ball over just once.

Six of the ten Tigers that saw at least 10 minutes of action in Friday’s exhibition scored double-digit points, while [autotag]Chaney Johnson[/autotag] (seven points) and [autotag]Dylan Cardwell[/autotag] (six points) added a combined 12 rebounds. Bruce Pearl has made it a point to display extremely deep and talented rotations during his last few seasons on the Plains, and this iteration of the Tigers may be the most talented group he’s compiled during his tenure.

The No. 11 ranked Tigers will look to prove that sentiment when the regular season tips off on November 6 against perennial American East powerhouse Vermont. Auburn will be put to the test right away following the home opener, as the Tigers have a date with No. 4 ranked Houston in Birmingham on November 9.

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Auburn remains in the mix for No. 1 recruit AJ Dybantsa

As the recruiting race continues on for some of the nation’s top basketball prospects, Auburn is in the mix for No. 1 recruit AJ Dybantsa

As the 2024-25 college basketball season approaches, numerous teams are searching for ways to make their mark in the early going. That includes Auburn and head coach [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag], who look to bounce back after a first round exit to Yale in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

One of those ways that the Tigers want to do that with is in recruiting, trying to prepare for the replacement of the majority roster after this year. They could be on the right track should they land a commitment from the nation’s top recruit in the class of 2025, [autotag]AJ Dybantsa[/autotag].

Dybantsa is currently considering six institutions. Outside of Auburn, the likes of Kansas State, Kansas, Alabama, North Carolina and BYU are competing for the young phenom.

The forward from Utah Prep School has taken official visits to all six schools, and now the nation awaits his massive commitment in February.

According to Joe Tipton at On3, he labels BYU as the team to beat in this race, favoring the Cougars to keep him in state and improve on their success.

The Tigers currently hold one commitment in the class of 2025 in three-star Simon Walker, but hope to make a giant push and land one of the nation’s best in the coming months.

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Where does Auburn rank in the first USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll of the season?

Expectations are high for the defending SEC Tournament champions heading into the 2024-25 season.

Auburn basketball looks to give the Auburn fan base something to look forward to this season after the football team’s disappointing start to the 2024 season.

[autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag]’s bunch could do just that this season as the Tigers are expected to perform at a high level based on the preseason polls. The Associated Press poll placed Auburn at No. 11 in its debut poll last week. The USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll feels the same sentiments by also giving Auburn the No. 11 slot in its preseason poll.

Auburn is one of nine SEC teams to find a place in the poll and is the second-highest-ranked squad from the conference. No. 2 Alabama is the only SEC school to begin the season ranked higher than Auburn, with Tennessee (No. 12), Texas A&M (No. 15), Arkansas (No. 16), Texas (No. 19), Florida (No. 21), Kentucky (No. 23), and Ole Miss (No. 25) following suit.

In non-conference play, Auburn will battle three top-10 teams (No. 4 Houston, No. 5 Duke, and No. 6 Iowa State), with the opportunity to meet No. 3 UConn and No. 10 North Carolina as part of the Maui Invitational.

This season’s schedule will be a challenging one, but it is one that head coach Bruce Pearl and the rest of the Tigers are ready to approach head-on. Here is a look at this season’s first USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

2024-25 Preseason Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll

Rank	School	Last Year’s Record	Points
1	Kansas	23-11	743 (15)
2	Alabama	25-12	718 (6)
3	Connecticut	37-3	717 (6)
4	Houston	32-5	698 (4)
5	Duke	27-9	625
6	Iowa State	29-8	591
7	Gonzaga	27-8	575
8	Baylor	24-11	545
9	Arizona	27-9	510
10	North Carolina	29-8	498
11	Auburn	27-8	465
12	Tennessee	27-9	437
13	Purdue	34-5	390
14	Creighton	25-10	342
15	Texas A&M	21-15	332
16	Arkansas	16-17	272
17	Marquette	27-10	268
18	Indiana	19-14	208
19	Texas	21-13	166
20	Cincinnati	22-15	163
21	Florida	24-12	130
22	UCLA	16-17	123
23	Kentucky	23-10	95
24	Illinois	29-9	87
25	Mississippi	20-12	66

Dropped Out:

No. 13 North Carolina State (26-15); No. 15 Clemson (24-12); No. 18 San Diego State (26-11); No. 20 Utah State (28-7); No. 22 Saint Mary’s (26-8); No. 23 South Carolina (26-8); No. 24 Washington State (25-10); No. 25 Texas Tech (23-11)

Others Receiving Votes:

Texas Tech (23-11) 60; Rutgers (15-17) 57; St. John’s (20-13) 42; Xavier (16-18) 26; Michigan State (20-15) 25; Brigham Young (23-11) 16; Oregon (24-12) 16; Kansas State (19-15) 11; Boise State (22-11) 9; Saint Mary’s (26-8) 9; Clemson (24-12) 8; Dayton (25-8) 7; Ohio State (22-14) 7; Maryland (16-17) 4; Grand Canyon (30-5) 3; Mississippi State (21-14) 2; Princeton (24-5) 2; San Diego State (26-11) 2; Virginia (23-11) 2; Wake Forest (21-14); Wisconsin (22-14)