Tag: bruce pearl

Is Auburn basketball’s Jabari Smith the first pick in the 2022 NBA Draft?

How cool would this be?

Is Jabari Smith the number one pick in the 2022 NBA draft?

Some analysts think that he deserves to be in the conversation.

ESPN‘s Mike Schmitz talked about Smith during the Auburn basketball game against Loyola Chicago. He had high praise for the freshman star.

“I think he’s in the conversation for the number one pick,” Schmitz said. “Now, I would still rank Chet Holmgren of Gonzaga, Paolo Banchero of Duke right ahead of him at one and two, I think Jabari has proven that deserves to be in the mix. When you go down the line and look at what he can offer, it’s really whatever NBA team is looking for in a franchise building block. He’s 6-foot-10, he moves incredibly well, great frame has long arms, he can switch every ball screen defensively, and offensively he’s an excellent shooter, he can handle the ball. He can score inside. He can score outside. And he’s a year younger than Holmgren.”

Through Smith’s first five games at Auburn he’s averaging 15.2 points per game, 7.2 rebounds per game, 1.6 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.0 block per game in under 30 minutes of action per contest.

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How to watch the Auburn basketball game vs the Syracuse Orange

Here’s how to watch our Tigers today.

After a 1-1 start in the Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis, the Auburn Tigers will wrap up their action with the Syracuse Orange for a battle for fifth place.

The only previous meeting between the two programs was in the Sweet 16 in 2003. The Orange won that game 79-78.

The Tigers fell to UConn 115-109 in the first game of the Battle 4 Atlantis and beat Loyola Chicago 62-53.

How to watch Auburn vs Loyola Chicago

The game will be broadcast on ESPN2.

They will play at 3:30 CST.

Live Stream:

fuboTV (try it free)

Radio:

You can hear the broadcast on the Auburn Sports Network. Andy Burcham and Sonny Smith will have the call.

Takeaways from Auburn basketball’s win over Loyola Chicago

Here are some takeaways from Auburn’s win over Sister Jean & Co.

The defense finally pulled itself together for the Tigers.

Auburn handled. Loyola Chicago 62-53 in the consolation bracket of the Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis. The Tigers needed to figure some things out on the defensive end after letting UConn score 115 points in the opening round of the Battle 4 Atlantis yesterday, and it still took them a half to figure it out in this one.

Loyola Chicago was shooting over 70% from the floor and 60% from three as the first half came to a close. The Ramblers finished the day shooting 44.7% overall and 30.4% from deep.

Here are five takeaways from Auburn’s win.

Auburn Men’s Basketball To Play In 2022 Men’s Cancun Challenge

Something to look forward to for the 2022 Auburn basketball season!

FORT COLLINS, CO – With college basketball programs more comfortable plotting schedules after COVID-19’s disruptions, plans are already in motion for the 2022 Men’s Cancun Challenge, set for November 22-23 at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya and powered by Triple Crown Sports.

Seven of the eight teams in the field have been secured, with the final squad still to be determined: Auburn Tigers, Bradley Braves, Liberty Flames, Northwestern Wildcats, Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons, Southern Miss Golden Eagles, Winthrop Eagles.

This is the second trip to the event for Auburn, Bradley, Liberty, Northwestern, and Southern Miss; it’s the debut appearance for Purdue Fort Wayne and Winthrop. Liberty also played in the 2020 Space Coast Challenge, a four-team event in Florida last November which Triple Crown produced when the Cancun event was canceled.

Games take place in the modified ballroom of the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya, in a setting where teams and fans can walk from their rooms to the restaurants to the games. The Cancun Challenge also includes games played at host sites in the US.

“Teams all around the country are excited to see these travel events return to the forefront, and it’s no surprise the Cancun Challenge has a solid group of programs already on board,” said event director Sarah Molina.

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How to watch the Auburn basketball game vs Loyola Chicago

Here’s how you can watch the Tigers today.

The Auburn Tigers fell in double overtime Wednesday to UConn and will turn around and face the Loyola Chicago Ramblers on Thanksgiving Thursday.

Bruce Pearl’s Tigers will face Loyola Chicago for the first time ever on Thanksgiving.

The Tigers (2019) and Ramblers are one of four schools at the Battle 4 Atlantis to boast a Final Four appearance in the last three years next to Michigan State (2019) and defending national champion Baylor (2021).

Much like Auburn, Loyola Chicago had a winning streak snapped in the first game of the Battle 4 Atlantis. They lost to Michigan State 63-61.

How to watch Auburn vs Loyola Chicago

The game will be broadcast on ESPN.

They will play at 1:30 CST.

Live Stream:

fuboTV (try it free)

Radio:

You can hear the broadcast on the Auburn Sports Network. Andy Burcham and Sonny Smith will have the call.

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.

How to watch the Auburn basketball game vs UConn

Who do you have in this one?

Auburn basketball’s action in the Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis starts with a ranked matchup against the UConn Huskies.

The Tigers are making their first-ever appearance in the Battle 4 Atlantis. This is the 10th year of the premier, early-season college basketball tournaments. It takes place at the Atlantis Resort in Paradise Island, Bahamas.

Both Auburn and UConn are two of the 48 remaining teams in college basketball without a loss this season.

How to watch Auburn vs UConn

You can watch the number 19 Auburn Tigers battle the number 21 UConn Huskies on ESPN at 1:30 CT.

Live Stream:

fuboTV (try it free)

Radio:

You can hear the broadcast on the Auburn Sports Network. Andy Burcham and Sonny Smith will have the call.

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Walker Kessler: ‘I always did love Auburn’

Kessler is a national treasure.

Walker Kessler has quietly become one of the most enjoyable personalities on the Auburn basketball team.

From his jokes about the dunk contest to his infamous bucket hat, to the energy he brings at the rim, Kessler has asserted himself as a valuable piece on the squad, not just on the court, but off the court as a stand-up personality Auburn fans love.

Kessler spoke with the media and talked about his love for Auburn.

“I always did love Auburn. It wasn’t like, ‘Oh, well this school is close. I’m going to go there.’ It was like I already know Auburn, I loved Auburn, this is clearly the best choice.

“Coach Pearl is such an unbelievable coach and what he’s done with this program is just so unbelievable in the fact that he’s such a player’s coach and really believes in his players. That was the initial thing that drew me- and then obviously being close to home. And then the people, the players, the coaching staff, it’s just been special to me.”

Kessler is currently averaging 4.3 points per game, 5.7 rebounds, and a whopping 3.7 blocks per contest.

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Auburn basketball stays put in the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll

Auburn basketball stays put in the latest poll.

Auburn did not move in this week’s Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll.

Like last week, the Tigers are ranked at 22. This puts them as the fifth-ranked SEC team of the six in the latest poll.

Alabama is the top-ranked team in the conference at nine, Arkansas is 12, Kentucky is 13, Tennessee is 17, and Florida is 24.

Here’s a look at the full Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll

Rank Team Record PTS 1st Prev Chg Hi/Lo
1 Gonzaga 4-0 797 30 1 — 1/1
2 UCLA 4-0 751 2 2 — 2/2
3 Kansas 3-0 725 0 3 — 3/3
4 Purdue 5-0 691 0 7 3 4/7
5 Baylor 4-0 635 0 8 3 5/8
6 Duke 5-0 624 0 9 3 6/9
7 Villanova 3-2 546 0 4 -3 4/7
8 Texas 3-1 479 0 5 -3 5/8
9 Alabama 4-0 472 0 13 4 9/13
10 Memphis 4-0 441 0 16 6 10/16
11 Houston 3-0 431 0 14 3 11/14
12 Arkansas 3-0 357 0 15 3 12/15
13 Michigan 3-2 356 0 6 -7 6/13
13 Kentucky 3-1 356 0 11 -2 11/13
15 Illinois 2-1 321 0 10 -5 10/15
16 St. Bonaventure 5-0 261 0 24 8 16/24
17 Tennessee 3-1 226 0 17 — 17/17
18 Brigham Young 4-0 205 0 NR — 18/NR
19 Arizona 5-0 204 0 NR 14 19/NR
20 Seton Hall 3-0 187 0 NR — 20/NR
21 Connecticut 4-0 183 0 23 2 21/23
22 Auburn 3-0 174 0 22 — 22/22
23 Oregon 2-1 168 0 12 -11 12/23
24 Florida 3-0 162 0 NR — 24/NR
25 Southern California 3-0 92 0 NR 3 25/NR
Teams that dropped out:
No. 17 Ohio St.; No. 19 Florida State; No. 20 North Carolina; No. 21 Maryland; No. 25 Virginia.

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Bruce Pearl discusses what is expected on the Battle 4 Atlantis trip

Bruce Pearl will have his team focused.

When most folks book a trip to the Bahamas, they do it for the opportunity to see beautiful scenery, great climate, and a chance to relax.

That’s not what Bruce Pearl has in mind for his Auburn basketball team as they travel this week to take part in the Battle 4 Atlantis.

The loaded field includes several talented teams including the Tigers, Uconn, Michigan State, Loyola Chicago, Syracuse, Baylor, and more.

Pearl talked about the opportunity and what his team can get out of a trip like this during his press conference Sunday.

“This is just an opportunity to play three great teams and it’s an opportunity to build or destroy your resume. We will travel Monday, we will get down there and practice Tuesday and play three games then head back Friday night.

“This is made for television. This is made for the opportunity to play against the best teams in the country and to get tested in all the different ways that you’re going to be tested. This is a business trip. There’s not going to be a lot of swimming with the dolphins. This is not going to be some cultural summer tour. We won’t be visiting any museums or spending much time on the beach. Now, we will enjoy the climate and the beautiful setting and the guys will get a chance to see that. Maybe someday, they can get a good job and make a decent living, they can take their wife, or fiance, or family there someday but we are there for business.”

Pearl’s Tigers are 3-0 after beating a scrappy USF team in Tampa, Florida this past week and will take on Uconn in their first game in the tournament Wednesday, November 24 at 1:30 CST.

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