June 29, 2018
By Greg Ostendorf
AuburnTigers.com
AUBURN, Ala. -- It's only June but if Thursday's SEC teleconference was any indication, Auburn coach Bruce Pearl likes the team he has coming back.
Pearl alluded to the frontcourt and how he has more depth and traditional size than he's ever had. He talked about the depth of the backcourt and the experience the Tigers will have with the return of Jared Harper and Bryce Brown, two All-SEC players from a year ago.
But it's more than just talent. It's more than just being ranked in the top 10 or top 15 in preseason projections. There's a certain chemistry with this group that's carried over from last year when they won the SEC championship. There's been a new focus this offseason. The players are working hard every day to finish what they started.
"We feel like we've got unfinished business," Pearl said.
One of the writers picked up on that and asked the fifth-year coach to elaborate. What do you mean when you say you have unfinished business?
"First off, I talked about Jared and what he's had to overcome," Pearl said. "I've watched him in some NBA workout situations, and I've seen him night in and night out. He's smaller than anybody he goes up against, and often times, he wins his position. He wins his battle. He won it most nights in the SEC. And yet, he's overlooked because he's 5-10 or 5-11.
"Bryce Brown the same thing. He's been overlooked his whole career. He's hungry. He feels like he's got unfinished business.
"Austin Wiley, didn't play last year. He got his eligibility back and is in good standing. He tested the waters, was told he wasn't going to be a first-round pick, so I think he made a very wise decision to come back and get into the first round next year. I think there's a chance he can. But he's got unfinished business."
Pearl went on and talked about Danjel Purifoy, who was also ineligible last year. He talked about Samir Doughty, the transfer from VCU who sat out last year and redshirted. He mentioned Malik Dunbar, who's trying to carve out a different role on the team, and Chuma Okeke, who should play a more dominant role this year after a terrific freshman season.
"I think there are a lot of guys on our roster that are hungry," Pearl said.
So sure, it's only June. The first game, which hasn't been announced yet, is likely four months away. But this Auburn team is deep, they're talented, and more than anything, they're motivated and eager to build on what they did a season ago.
Fresh face
Two weeks ago, Auburn added a commitment from junior-college point guard J'Von McCormick. He'll be the lone newcomer on this year's team because while Doughty sat out last year and has yet to see the court, he practiced with the team all year.
When asked about depth at point guard, Pearl mentioned that while both Brown and Doughty will play off the ball, they can back up Harper if needed.
He also talked about the addition of McCormick.
"He was a really important signing for us," Pearl said. "He's got experience. He's a really solid player, a really good athlete, good defender, good playmaker, wants to win and knows he can come in and compete with Bryce and Samir and Jared. And yet, he's going to play every night.
"Between those four guys, that's going to be our backcourt. I feel pretty confident that we can put any one of those four guys out there at 1 or 2 and be competitive."
Greg Ostendorf is a Senior Writer for AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @greg_ostendorf