AUBURN, Ala. – Following last year's Final Four run, Auburn entered the 2019-20 season ranked No. 24 in the AP Top 25. That first poll was released in October. It's now the final week of December, and the Tigers have climbed all the way to No. 8.
It's been a slow, steady ascent. As other teams go down, Auburn just keeps winning. At 11-0, the Tigers are one of just three undefeated teams remaining in college basketball.
"We talked about making history. We clearly have," Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl said. "But I know where we're at. I know what kind of team we are. I know how good we are. We're not a top 10 team right now. We're ranked there, but we're just not."
That doesn't mean Auburn can't become a top 10 team. Pearl believes this group can. But there needs to be improvement on the offensive end where the Tigers have struggled in recent games. There needs to be improvement from the bench where players like Allen Flanigan, Devan Cambridge and Jamal Johnson continue to see more meaningful minutes.
"We like to play fast, speed people up," Flanigan said. "The starters out there give 100 percent effort. For the bench, you have to stay locked in, stay ready, so when you go in, you can give the same energy."
The next challenge for this Auburn team will be at home Sunday against a Lipscomb team that won 29 games a season ago and reached the championship game of the NIT. It will be the final game of 2019 for the Tigers and their last game before SEC play begins.
Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT from Auburn Arena. 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 SEC Network with Kevin Fitzgerald and Dane Bradshaw on the call.
Holiday bleacher games
Please note for the game that there will only be a stadium deck parking shuttle there will not be a shuttle running from the facilities lot. With students on holiday break, fans are encouraged to park in the Coliseum, Athletics Complex, Stadium Deck and Campus Safety lots.
Player to watch: Samir Doughty
After averaging 7.3 points per game a season ago, Samir Doughty has arguably been the most improved player in the SEC as he touts a team-best 16.9 points per contest through 11 games this year. His point total is good for sixth in the SEC. Doughty is also part of one of the top defending backcourts in the country along with J'Von McCormick and Isaac Okoro.
Inside the series: Lipscomb
In the only other meeting between the two sides, Auburn earned a 69-54 victory over Lipscomb on Nov. 20, 2005. The Tigers are 17-3 all-time against teams from the currently-constructed ASUN Conference and have won their last five against league foes in Kennesaw State, North Alabama and North Florida.
Head coach Bruce Pearl is also 1-0 against Lipscomb in his career with the victory coming also in 2005 with Tennessee, 69-58, on Dec. 29.
The big man is hungry
Austin Wiley has been a man on a mission the last eight games, averaging 12.5 points and 10.4 boards per contest. In that span the senior has amassed four double-doubles, scoring in double figures in seven games and pulling down at least eight rebounds in each game.
Where Wiley has shown the most progress is at the charity stripe. Coming into the season as a 52.5 percent free throw shooter, the senior is 44-of-64 from the foul line (68.8 percent).