ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Auburn has never backed down from a challenge. Under head coach Bruce Pearl, the Tigers have shown they will play anybody anywhere. On Friday, that challenge will come against a talented Davidson team in a game played at the U.S. Naval Academy.
The game, played at Navy's Alumni Hall, is part of the 2019 Veterans Classic.
"It's a great opportunity for us," Pearl said. "They've been together for a couple years. Bob (McKillop) does a phenomenal job. They're one of the best-coached teams in the country. They shoot it like us last year – an unbelievable 3-point shooting team. They scored over 100 in their first exhibition game. They'll challenge us in so many ways.
"But our guys are excited about playing and probably more than anything, they're excited about being at the Naval Academy. We are here where young men and women come to learn how to be officers, to protect us and to give us the freedoms that we enjoy."
Auburn, ranked No. 24 nationally, is coming off an 83-74 win over Georgia Southern in its home opener on Tuesday. Four different players scored in double figures for the Tigers, including freshman Isaac Okoro who scored 12 points in his collegiate debut.
Okoro, like all the newcomers, is excited for the opportunity to play in a preseason tournament against a team like Davidson that will likely play in the NCAA tournament.
"This is why I came to Auburn," Okoro said. "First, all the love they have for the school and the fan base. Second, I know the schedule that they play and the hard teams that they play. I love those types of atmospheres, and I love those types of games."
"These games will test you," added Pearl. "But they'll mean something in March if you're able to get them."
The game itself is scheduled to tip at 5 p.m. CT from Alumni Hall. Andy Burcham and Sonny Smith will have the radio call on 93.9 Tiger FM, online at AuburnTigers.com and on the TuneIn app. The game will also be televised on CBS Sports Network with Tom McCarthy, Steve Lappas and Jon Rothstein on the call.
Player to watch: Isaac Okoro
Auburn freshman Isaac Okoro was the only non-senior starter in the season opener vs. Georgia Southern on Tuesday. In his Tiger debut, he scored 12 points on 6-of-9 from the floor to go along with five rebounds and two assists. The versatile forward was Auburn's highest-rated signee from its 2019 class as a consensus top-50 player.
Inside the series: Davidson
Friday's matchup will be the second in series history between Auburn and Davidson. The Tigers won the only other meeting, a 66-59 triumph, on Dec. 28, 1951 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The Tigers are 19-9 against the Atlantic-10 all-time and have won their last three games, taking down the likes of Dayton twice and George Mason. Friday's battle will also be head coach Bruce Pearl's first game against Davidson and head coach Bob McKillop.
A day to remember
As a part of the Veterans Classic, the participating teams spent Thursday touring the U.S. Naval Academy and learning what it's like to be a Midshipmen. They went through ship simulators, climbed into helicopters and had lunch with the cadets on campus.
"It was an eye-opening experience," Okoro said. "It was just showing us how these veterans live on a day-to-day basis and the toughness and the things they go through every day."
"Everybody has been thanking us for coming," Pearl said. "All I've been doing is thanking them for giving Auburn the opportunity to come to the Naval Academy and be in the Veterans Classic. This is Veterans Day Weekend. We're going to celebrate our veterans all weekend. It means a lot to us. It means a lot to the folks at Auburn."