There are plenty of newcomers on this Auburn basketball team.
There's Antoine Mason, the nation's top returning scorer.
There's Cinmeon Bowers, the imposing big man.
Then of course, there's first-year head coach Bruce Pearl, who has brought a never-before-seen energy to the University's basketball program.
There are several fresh faces on the court this year for the Tigers, but there is also a player who's been here all the while.
Senior guard KT Harrell, who SB Nation ranked as their 99th best college basketball player heading into the season, returns to the hardwood for the Tigers after starting 30 games and averaging 18.3 points per game last year.
Harrell led the Tigers in scoring in 11 games last year and is looking to continue that leadership under Pearl.
"Me and (Pearl) have talked a lot, and I think he wants me to be the leader of this team," Harrell said. "He wants a lot of the seniors to lead. I take on that challenge. I've been working on it every day in practice, and it's a role I accept."
Pearl said he has communicated to the team what this season means for the fifth-year senior.
"Do it for KT," Pearl said. "I almost want to approach it from the standpoint of 'let's do it for him.' We like him, we all respect him and he's been a great teammate."
But Pearl also said he sometimes has to step in and be verbal when Harrell isn't.
"KT may not say some things as a leader that I would like him to step up and say, so I'll say it for him," Pearl said. "Nobody wants to let KT down. I think he's in a position to lead just based on how he lives, trains and how loyal he is."
The senior guard said he appreciates the kind words from his new head coach.
"It means a lot," Harrell said. "I've been through a lot as far as my college career. This is my last year and I want to make it my best year. Just hearing him say that, it feels good to know that somebody has your back and wants the best for you. I think that's what all coaches should want for their players."
Harrell also said he chooses to let the way he plays do the talking.
"I work as hard as I possibly can," Harrell said. "I let my actions really show how I play, but I'm trying to work on being a more vocal leader. That's something that's going to be needed out of me."
As for the hype leading up to tipoff, Harrell, who grew up near Auburn, said he's never seen anything like it before.
"People are always talking about how excited they are for basketball," Harrell said. "There's a lot of buzz going around. I was raised in Montgomery and never really heard a lot about Auburn basketball. But this year's been pretty exciting."
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