Auburn Faces Tough Nonconference Schedule Ahead of SEC Play

Auburn men's basketball is facing a daunting nonconference schedule ahead of SEC play. The Tigers have played and lost to top-ranked teams including Arizona, Houston, Michigan, and Purdue, with a combined record of 43-2 for those opponents.

Their recent defeat came from Purdue, where they lost 88-60, following a 102-72 loss to Michigan and a 97-68 loss to Arizona. The lone close game was against Houston, where Auburn narrowly lost 73-72 with a chance to win at the end.

According to Steven Pearl, the Tigers' schedule has been challenging, especially with 10 new players on the roster and only one returning player, a sophomore point guard. Despite their 8-4 record, which Pearl believes is commendable considering their competition, the team acknowledges the need to improve their performance.

In their latest game, Auburn shot only 36% from the field, with Kevin Overton scoring 22 points, while Braden Smith recorded 14 assists. Looking ahead, Auburn will face Queens before entering SEC play against Georgia, which currently has a 10-1 record.

As they gear up for the rest of the season, the team is focused on learning from their tough nonconference matches, with hopes for growth and development despite the current struggles.