At the 2013 SEC Basketball Media days, head men's basketball coach Tony Barbee stepped up to the microphone and said this year's team would be a "new look" team.
"We've got eight newcomers this year, and the veterans have worked hard to increase their games, but some of our newcomers are going to make the difference for us this year," Barbee said.
Auburn's eight newcomers will be KT Harrell, Dione Wade, Tahj Shamsid-Deen, Alex Thompson, Benas Griciunas, Chris Griffin, Ronald Delph and Matthew Atewe.
"Obviously KT Harrell, a transfer from Virginia, who sat out last year is going to have a major impact on our team," Barbee said. "Our point guard Tahj Shamsid-Deen from Atlanta, Georgia is just a winner. He's a two-time state champion and Mr. Basketball in the state of Georgia, and he's a kid that can run the team and score in a variety of different ways. I'm excited about all the newcomers."
Senior forward Allen Payne said all the new faces in the locker room have helped the overall chemistry of the team.
"Our chemistry is good, because of us incorporating so many new players," Payne said. "I think that's the biggest thing for us right now, but we'll just have to let it play out and see."
After last season's disappointing 9-23 season, Barbee said improving team chemistry was a big focus this offseason. To help with that Barbee went to someone outside the program for help.
"We brought in one of the leading sports psychologists in the country to work with us this summer on bonding and chemistry," Barbee said. "This team is as close as any team I've coached, so it's going to go a long way this year."
Barbee has worked with this particular psychologist with other teams in the past.
"To see the impact he has had on the chemistry on teams is, I think, where you turn the corner," Barbee said. "I've always had him in my back pocket, and I felt like this was the team that would benefit the most from him."
Prior to the beginning of media days, on Tuesday, Auburn was selected to finish last in the SEC by the media in the 2013-14 season. Putting what the team learned this summer from the psychologist into action.
"We don't really worry about where we should be," Payne said. "The biggest thing coach Barbee preaches to us is we are our own judge, and we stay in our own locker room and we don't worry about what everyone thinks. Personally I don't think we should be picked last, but I don't worry about those things."
The media are not the only ones who don't have confidence in what this team can do this season.
After last season many will have Barbee starting this season off on the hot seat.
"That doesn't mean a thing to me," Barbee said. "The only thing that matters is how I perform everyday in preparing this team, and I could care less about what anybody else thinks."
Payne said that outside voices talking about Barbee's future with the team does not bother the team at all.
"I'll speak for my team that we fully support and back our coach and have full confidence in what he's trying to do," Payne said.
Before Barbee stepped away from the microphone Tuesday he was asked if he had a message for the Auburn fans. His answer was simple.
"Just be patient, and this team will make you proud."
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