AUBURN, Ala. – The wait is over. The 2018-19 season is here.
No. 11 Auburn begins its journey with a test against in-state foe South Alabama Tuesday night. The action is set to get underway inside Auburn Arena at 8 p.m. CT on SEC Network and the Auburn Sports Network.
"This will be a really challenging opener for us," head coach Bruce Pearl said. "South Alabama is good. (Head coach) Richie Riley is really good.
"They return four starters from a year ago and they bring back 83 percent of their offense. … It's a good team. They're really going to challenge us."
The Tigers, meanwhile, boast a strong nucleus that returns following a 26-win season en route to the Southeastern Conference title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 15 seasons.
"I'm very excited," senior guard Bryce Brown said. "This is my last year, my last go-round with my guys - my brothers. It will be real interesting to see what we have tomorrow and how much energy we have tomorrow. I know I'm going to come out and probably be more fired up than I have been just because I know this is my last year stepping on the court."
Auburn and South Alabama are set to reignite a rivalry that dates back to 1972. The Tigers lead the overall series 5-4, including the last two results in 2006 and 2001.
Auburn is coming off a 76-62 exhibition victory vs. Lincoln Memorial Nov. 2. In that game, Jared Harper led the way with 22 points, while Chuma Okeke added a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
The Tigers are on the back end of a doubleheader as the Auburn women's basketball team begins its season in a matchup with Grambling at 5:30 p.m. CT.
Rod Bramblett and Sonny Smith will have the radio call on the Auburn Sports Network, while Mike Morgan and Andy Kennedy will describe the action on SEC Network.
Following the season opener, the Tigers entertain No. 25 Washington for a top-25 showdown Friday, Nov. 9 at 8:30 p.m. CT.
Doubleheader parking information
Fans must have an "S" lot pass to park in the main arena lot. Additional parking is available in the Coliseum lot, Campus Safety parking lot (corner of Donahue/Magnolia), Stadium Deck (levels 1 and 2) and the Athletic Complex.
Additionally, a Tiger Transit shuttle will run from the Facilities Management lot off Samford Ave. beginning at 4:30 p.m., and from the Stadium Deck beginning at 5:30. Shuttles will run until one hour following the conclusion of the final game.
Player to watch: Bryce Brown
Heading into his final season, Bryce Brown is looking to start the 2018-19 season as well as he did last campaign. The Stone Mountain, Ga. native poured in a career-high 31 points in a 102-74 victory vs. Norfolk State. His 31 points were just four shy of the single-game record for points in a season opener, held by Lee DeFore's 35 vs. Rice in 1965. Brown went 12-of-16 from the floor, including 4-of-8 from behind the arc.
Auburn in season openers
Auburn has an 81-31 (.723) record in season openers, including 59-9 at home, 13-16 on the road, 4-3 in neutral-site games and 5-3 in games played in unknown locations. This is the 11th straight season the Tigers have opened at home. The Tigers have won 37 of their last 44 season openers, including a 102-74 victory over Norfolk State in Auburn Arena last season.
What's returning?
Auburn returns four players who started at least 13 games last season for the regular-season SEC champions. The Tigers return six of their top eight scorers. In total, Auburn returns 64.1 percent of its scoring and 58.0 percent of its rebounding. Additionally, the Tigers return players who accounted for 247 of its record 324 3-pointers made a season ago.
Backcourt named All-SEC
Auburn guards Bryce Brown and Jared Harper were named Preseason Second Team All-SEC by a select panel of Southeastern Conference and national media members. The Tigers were the only team to have both members of their backcourt selected to the annual all-conference team.
After leading Auburn to its third conference title in program history, both players were voted All-SEC. Brown picked up first team honors from the Associated Press and second team laurels from the league coaches. Harper was picked to the second team by both the Associated Press and SEC head coaches.
Auburn tips off 2018-19 season against South Alabama
