With the Auburn men's basketball season set to tip off on Wednesday, Nov. 6, here's our staff's predictions for record, conference finish, most valuable player, newcomer of the year, defensive player of the year and NCAA Tournament seeding.
Record
Patrick Bingham, Sports Editor: 22-9 (13-5 SEC)
"Auburn is projected to, and frankly will, have a really good team in Pearl's 11th season with the program. It might not be totally reflective in the record, particularly early on, because of the strength of the Tigers' non-conference schedule.
"However, all of the metric polls will love Auburn all year long because of the strength of its opponents. While the Tigers might experience some growing pains in some of the early matchups, I expect it to pay dividends throughout the course of SEC play and beyond."
Grace Heim, Assistant Sports Editor: 24-7 (14-4 SEC)
“The Tigers have one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country, and it’s going to be a litmus test for the rest of the season. I expect Auburn’s depth and experience to carry it through its non-conference slate, coming out with 10 wins while losing to Houston and Duke and dropping one game at the Maui Invitational.
"Auburn will start SEC play with momentum and experience against tough teams, and I expect them to enter February with a 6-1 record in conference play, dropping its game at Texas. SEC play seems like a coin flip this early in the season, but I am predicting Auburn to beat Kentucky on the road, lose to Arkansas on the road and split the series with Alabama 1-1.”
Logan Fowler, Sports Reporter: 22-9 (13-5 SEC)
"I believe this Auburn team is more well-rounded than a season ago, with additional playmakers in the backcourt. However, Auburn faces one of its toughest non-conference schedules in program history this season. I think the Tigers will perform well in some of those non-conference matchups, and they could resemble Alabama's team from a year ago - losing a few challenging non-conference games before finding its identity in SEC play. I'll go with Auburn dropping four games before SEC play starts, with those losses coming to Duke, Ohio State, Houston and UConn, assuming the Tigers see them in the Maui Invitational.
"With the SEC looking as daunting as ever, I'll also go with the Tigers dropping some road games to the likes of Alabama, Florida, Kentucky and Texas A&M, along with a home loss to either Tennessee or Arkansas in conference play."
Conference finish
Patrick Bingham, Sports Editor: Second in SEC
"While I think Alabama is currently the clear front runner for the league title, the teams that all fall from second to fifth will be very tight all season. I expect the Tigers to come out on top of that tier."
Grace Heim, Assistant Sports Editor: Third in SEC
“Auburn finished second in the conference with a 13-5 record last season, but I expect a 14-4 record to put the Tigers in third at the end of conference play this year.”
Logan Fowler, Sports Reporter: Fourth in SEC
"Auburn finished last season with a 13-5 record in regular-season SEC play and finished second in the conference behind Tennessee. However, with the SEC looking as strong as it does coming into the season, I believe the Tigers will finish fourth in the conference with that same record — enough to secure the two-round bye in the SEC Tournament."
MVP
Patrick Bingham, Sports Editor: Johni Broome
"He's been Auburn's best and most important player each of the last two seasons. I find it hard to believe anyone could be more of a super-star for the Tigers this season than Johni Broome."
Grace Heim, Assistant Sports Editor: Johni Broome
“I picked Johni Broome last year, and I’m sticking with him this season. As a leader with experience in high-pressure games, Broome’s influence goes far beyond his stats. After earning All-American honors last year and leading the Tigers in scoring, Broome has only improved. His ability to score inside, combined with a significantly improved three-point shot should help Auburn’s offense this season. With multiple National Player of the Year nods already, he’s primed to dominate again.”
Logan Fowler, Sports Reporter: Johni Broome
"This is a no-brainer with Johni Broome still on the roster. Broome became the program's 14th All-American after turning in 14 double-double performances and leading the team in scoring with 16.5 points per game last season. Broome - already receiving multiple National Player of the Year nods - has improved his shooting from beyond the arc and will continue to dominate the in the paint on both ends of the floor."
Newcomer of the year
Patrick Bingham, Sports Editor: Jahki Howard
"I'll go with Howard. I think the pair of super-athletic true-freshman for the Tigers could be a spark Auburn didn't have from its back court last season."
Grace Heim, Assistant Sports Editor: Tahaad Pettiford
“This is a tough call, but I’m leaning toward Tahaad Pettiford. He impressed in Auburn’s exhibition against FAU, scoring 12 points and hitting two 3-pointers. Pettiford's athleticism is evident on both sides of the ball, and his energy and playmaking ability should make him a fan favorite this season. His dynamic style and versatility make him an exciting player to watch, and I expect him to grow into a key contributor for the Tigers.”
Logan Fowler, Sports Reporter: Miles Kelly
"This is a tough decision after seeing the former 5-star point guard Tahaad Pettiford in action in the preseason exhibition games, but I've been high on Miles Kelly since he arrived and will lean with Kelly to be the Tigers Newcomer of the Year. Kelly has been praised for his sharpshooting ability and gives the Tigers a great deal of length at the two spot. "
Defensive Player of the year
Patrick Bingham, Sports Editor: Chad Baker-Mazara
"It'll probably be Broome. I just wanted to be different."
Grace Heim, Assistant Sports Editor: Johni Broome
“Broome is the clear pick here as he was named to the 2024 SEC All-Defensive team and was a key contributor last season for the Tigers on defense.”
Logan Fowler, Sports Reporter: Johni Broome
"Give me Broome in this category as well. He was named to the 2024 SEC All-Defensive team and ranks sixth all-time in career blocked shots with 156. Broome was second in the SEC in blocks per game last season with 2.2, and I would expect him to replicate that production again this season."
NCAA Tournament Seeding
Patrick Bingham, Sports Editor: Three seed
"Auburn's resumé will certainly have the chance to acquire some big wins and quality losses. I would expect the committee, assuming the Tigers finish second in the SEC, to favor Auburn pretty well in the field of 68."
Grace Heim, Assistant Sports Editor: Three seed
“I picked the Tigers to finish third in the SEC, and I am also predicting a three seed for them in the NCAA Tournament.”
Logan Fowler, Sports Reporter: Four seed
"With a chance at multiple quad one wins throughout the season, I'll predict Auburn to enter the NCAA Tournament as a four seed The Tigers have a chance to repeat in the SEC Tournament this year, which led to a four seed for them a season ago after building some momentum heading into March.
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