Graduate transfer Ronnie Johnson and freshman Jared Harper have been competing at the point guard position this off season, a position that Bruce Pearl and the Tigers have had struggles with in recent years.
Pearl, who has been impressed with both players, has to pick a starter because of an exhibition matchup approaching on Friday night. Right now, it looks like it will be Jared Harper who gets the starting nod.
“I’ve said that Jared Harper is worth the price of admission. I believe that,” Pearl said. “He is a very a smart player. And what an asset for Jared to have a guy like Ronnie, who has been there and done that in high school in Indianapolis, at Purdue and at Houston.
“Jared has the edge right now, but they’ll both play. They’re both fast and they’re both quick and they both can go by and they’re both pretty good defenders, so not a lot changes. They can both shoot the perimeter shot, so there’s not a lot that changes when one comes out and the other one comes in. But you can see how special Jared is and how special he’s going to be. And Ronnie is just really, really tough and really solid. He takes good care of the basketball.”
Johnson, a graduate transfer from Houston, knows his role as a leader on the team whether or not he starts or comes off the bench for Pearl.
“I just want to coach these guys and make them give it their all," Johnson said. "I want them to play like it’s their last year too.
“I think we’re really good. I think in order to be really good we have to just continue to play together and continue to learn in terms of strengths and weaknesses. I think they sky is the limit when everyone gets playing together more.”
Johnson averaged 9.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game at Houston last season.
“Ronnie certainly didn’t come here to share the position, but at the same time, Ronnie knows what being a good teammate is all about,” Pearl said. “I see him, whether he starts or comes off the bench, being a great teammate. And I think the point is, together, our point guard play is going to be improved.”
The point guard spot wont be the only position that sees multiple players rotating in and out often. Pearl announced that he will have 10 players in the rotation against Montevallo.
“We played nine (in a scrimmage game) up at Chattanooga because TJ Lang was out last week with back spasms and did not travel with us,” Pearl said. “He's back this week, but we will play 10 guys and I think our strength is our depth in the sense that when we do go to the bench, I think we drop off a little bit, but we bring in different dimensions."
The projected starting lineup includes Harper at the point, shooting guard T.J. Dunans, guard Mustapha Heron, forward Danjel Purifoy and center Horace Spencer. Coming off the bench will be Johnson, Bryce Brown, TJ Lang, Anfernee McLemore and graduate transfer LaRon Smith.
“We don't drop off a lot, so I think there will continue to be (competition) for playing time, for roles, for starting positions as we continue to progress," Pearl said. "We can withstand injury or foul trouble. I'm not wishing for any more injuries or foul trouble — we had enough of that last year — but I feel very, very confident the 10 guys that I have out there are going to be able to play effectively.”
Auburn will tip off the 2016-2017 season on Friday night against the Montevallo Falcons at 8:30 p.m. in Auburn Arena.
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