Auburn’s men’s basketball team broke into the AP Top 10 on Monday for the first time since 2000, a feat that head coach Bruce Pearl recognizes as a big deal for the program.
“Historically, so many other programs at Auburn have been in the top 10,” Pearl said Monday. “Men’s basketball hasn’t since 2000. The fact that we at least find ourselves in this position means that we’re holding up our end.”
The Tigers have won five straight games, including a 93-81 victory over Vanderbilt on Saturday. “When they score 75 points and they make 10 threes, Vanderbilt wins,” Pearl said. “They did both those things and we were still able to come out victorious.
“You look at our last eight games now and every one of them provided needed challenges."
Consistent offensive play has been Auburn’s strength throughout the season, ranking seventh in the nation in total offense with 86.0 points per game. Jared Harper’s leadership and playmaking ability has allowed multiple players to consistently score in the double digits.
“Jared thought he had to score to stay on the floor last year,” Pearl said of Harper’s freshman season. “What you need to do to stay on the floor is have your team win.
“Jared is twice the defender he was a year ago. He’s recognizing that he’s got a really good team. It’s his job to get the ball to people. He’s not looking to score as much as he is looking to play-make and defend.”
Freshman forward Chuma Okeke has emerged as one of Auburn’s most efficient players off the bench, scoring double-digit points in three of the Tigers’ last four games.
“Chuma can really truly move his feet on the perimeter and he’s got the size to be able to guard inside,” Pearl said. “He’s a really versatile defender. I mean, just as versatile as you see him offensively."
“I feel like I could guard anyone if I just lock in on defense,” Okeke said.
The Tigers will continue SEC play against Texas A&M Wednesday, a team which heavily outranks the Tigers when it comes to size.
“They’re the eighth biggest team in the country. Guarding the ball and guarding the paint is going to be challenging,” Pearl said. “But, we’re playing for something, some things that are pretty significant. We've got to be able to beat people along the way.”
Pearl also addressed his attitude toward ineligible players Austin Wiley and Danjel Purifoy possibly entering the NBA Draft following this season.
“They should make themselves eligible for consideration,” Pearl said of both players.
“Go see where they’re at, because they can come back if they don’t like their position. One thing about the NBA, they’ll let you know pretty close to about where you’re going to go.”
“We feel terrible about the fact that they’re not able to be with us in the games,” Pearl said.
Wiley and Purifoy were expected to be the stars of the team before an FBI investigation clouded their eligibility.
Wiley has officially been ruled ineligible for the season by the NCAA, and Auburn University’s appeal to that ruling was denied on Monday. The NCAA has yet to make a decision on Purifoy’s eligibility, but Auburn won’t play him until the NCAA confirms that he is eligible.
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