The nation's leading returning scorer knew he could put up big numbers again in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, but came to the SEC because he wanted to test his talents against the best.
Antoine Mason, a 6-foot-1 guard from Niagara University, said one reason he transferred to Auburn was to play against teams, such as Kentucky and Florida.
"It's going to be fun," Mason said. "I always like challenging myself."
Mason, who averaged 25.6 points last season does not believe his scoring ability will be any less effective this year in a more challenging league.
"I'm getting better with my outside range, so I'll be more dangerous," Mason said.
His plan is to take fewer shots, but be more efficient.
Mason is the third transfer head coach Bruce Pearl and his staff added since he took the job in March.
Pearl said he thinks Mason will be able to transfer a lot of his skills, but not all of the production, because the Tigers are going to have more balance than Niagara.
"My teams have always been fairly balanced, and he's an unselfish player, so he's not going to shoot a bad percentage," Pearl said. "I would expect him to be one of our leading scorers, but I don't anticipate he's going to put up those kind of numbers because not just the level, but the role that he'll play on our team. Offensively, everything he brings translates."
Mason said he enjoys Pearl's energy.
"It's going to be a great experience," Mason said. "I look to (Pearl) as a legend. Great offense at Tennessee, so hopefully we can bring that to Auburn."
The transition to Auburn and gelling with new teammates has been easy, Mason said.
"The connection hit off right away, especially on my visit," Mason said. "Everybody was down to earth. Everybody wants to win. We're finding out peoples' strengths, peoples' weaknesses, and we all just try to come together as one."
Mason said he also likes what he is seeing from the team on the court thus far.
"We get up and down the court really quick on offense and defense," Mason said. "As long as we get used to our pace, I don't think teams are really going to be used to how fast we really run."
The Tigers are excited about having a scoring threat like Mason on their side, according to junior power forward Cinmeon Bowers and point guard Tahj Shamsid-Deen.
"Antoine is a great scorer," Shamsid-Deen said. "He led the country in scoring last year. I think him and KT (Harrell) are going to be a great duo."
Mason has dreams of playing in the NBA like his father, Anthony Mason. The added exposure that comes with playing in a better conference should help him reach his goal if he plays as well as he said he will.
Although he has graduated, Mason will be eligible immediately because of the NCAA's transfer rule, which allows players who have graduated and have eligibility remaining to play immediately. He is currently working on a master's degree in adult education.
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