Midseason Check In On Auburn Basketball, On Pace For Potential SEC Title
The Tigers took down the Tigers Saturday night in Neville Arena. Auburn led by 28 3/4ths of the way through the game in what is becoming a trend. Bruce Pearl’s team is destroying people. The Auburn Tigers are 14-2 just over the halfway point in their regular season schedule. Where is this season headed?
The NCAA Tournament is ultimate destination, and Auburn seems a shoe in to make the field. The SEC regular season championship comes first, however, with the Tigers sitting in first place at 3-0 riding a 9 game winning streak.
Kentucky looks very talented, but just fell to a Texas A&M team Auburn beat and will have to come to Neville Arena this year. Tennessee could be Auburn’s toughest competition, but recently fell at Mississippi State. Alabama remains unbeaten in conference play following a pair of close calls. They do, however, already have 5 losses. I don’t see the Tide winning any championships this year.
The SEC regular season championship usually comes down to a game or two. Scheduling, therefore, can be a crucial determining factor of who wears the crown. Fortunately for Auburn, they have the easiest remaining strength of schedule of the four with Bama having the hardest. Outside of trips to Knoxville, Tuscaloosa, and Gainsville Auburn’s schedule sets up well for a run at an SEC Championship if they keep playing on this level. Bruce Pearl’s team plays very well at home, and even dropping those three games could have a shot at a 1 or 2 seed.
Now for postseason tournament expectations. How far can the Tigers go when it counts? Auburn’s front court has had a great first half to the season with Jaylin Williams playing out of his mind lately. However, deep tournament runs are about guard play. Tre Donaldson and Aden Holloway have had good starts and have fantastic turnover to assist ratios, but are still young. Holloway seems to be growing in confidence and is on his way toward becoming what the Tigers need him to be. Can he get there by March? That is the question. The great news is Auburn’s defense is so strong they are winning big even when making mistakes. The Tigers second unit is a stone wall and is covering up for a few offensive weaknesses.
Overall, the Tigers get an A for the first half of their season. It feels like they have improved since losing a lead late in the Baylor game, and the game at Appalachian State was a madhouse. It doesn’t feel like there are any juggernauts in college basketball this year or that Auburn has any ceiling. Will Bruce Pearls team knocked out in the second round or get back to the Final Four? Check back in March to find out.
