Nov. 1, 2017
Auburn vs. Barry University
(2016-17 RECORD: 18-14, 7-11 SEC) vs. (2016-17 RECORD: 23-7, 13-5 SSC)
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Schedule
| Thu, Nov 2 | 7 p.m. |
AUBURN, Ala. -- The Auburn men's basketball team is set to begin its 2017-18 season with an exhibition against Barry University Thursday night. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CT at Auburn Arena.
Rod Bramblett and Sonny Smith will have the radio call on 93.9 Tiger FM, online at www.AuburnTigers.com and on the TuneIn app. There will not be a live video stream. Tickets are still available for the public at $10 apiece.
"It's great to have a chance to play against somebody else," head coach Bruce Pearl said. "We chose Barry because they're preseason No. 12 in the country in Division II. I spent nine years in Division II at Southern Indiana and won a national championship; I know how good the basketball is and how good the coaching is."
The Tigers have been tested in recent years during their exhibitions, which has prepared them for the upcoming season, according to Coach Pearl.
"North Alabama came in here and gave us a great game. Montevallo came and gave us a great game. Against Indianapolis, we won in overtime. Barry is an older team and an experienced team. Their bigs can step out and shoot the ball. They're extremely well-coached, so it's going to give us great exposure. It will challenge us. They won't be as athletic as we are, but they're good. They run really good stuff, too, so it made me work really hard to prepare the team. I'm very excited about this challenge."
Auburn returns 71 percent of its scoring and 73 percent of its rebounding from a team that secured its first winning season (18-14) since 2008-09 last campaign.
The Tigers broke the program's 3-point record for most makes in a season with 289 last year and tallied 162 blocks, just 16 away from the school record.
Pearl, who secured his 500th career win with a triumph over LSU a season ago, says the team is ready to play in front of its home crowd.
"I think the kids are excited. They've worked really hard. This has been a challenging month for all of us in this program, so it will be great to be in front of our fans and I hope we have a great turnout."