FORT MYERS, Fla. - The wait is over. The 2020-21 basketball season is here. Finally.
At this point last year, Auburn had already played six games, as well as an exhibition. Heading into the season opener Thursday against Saint Joseph's, head coach Bruce Pearl brings in a group that combined to score 384 total points in 2019-20. That's about 15 percent of the production from last season's team that finished 25-6 and finished second in the Southeastern Conference.
"When you've got a brand new team - and I don't think Auburn has had a team that's lost its entire starting five since 1950 - that just sort of tells you how unprecedented this is," Pearl said. "This is truly going to be a new experience."
Gone is the winningest senior class in program history that totaled 99 wins in four seasons. Gone is Isaac Okoro, who became the Tigers' first one-and-done player and was the No. 5 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Enter the youngest team that Pearl has ever had as a Division I head coach that may feature a starting five of only underclassmen.
Some coaches may have chosen a lighter schedule or loaded up several home games to start the season with a young roster. Pearl has a different approach.
"I want to get exposed and see what we have, see what our strengths are and see what our weaknesses are, evaluate them, make the adjustments that are necessary to improve and go from there. Everybody is in the same boat. It's going to be really important that we're in a position to where we can learn on the fly."
When Auburn takes the court at 3:30 p.m. CT Thursday against Saint Joseph's, the Tigers will take the floor for the first time since March 7 when they went up to Knoxville and defeated Tennessee, 85-63, before the postseason was canceled due to COVID.
"I'm happy for the kids," Pearl said. "Our kids are excited about playing. I'm excited for all the kids in college basketball right now being able to get started and do the thing that they love to do."
The game is set to be broadcast on FS1 with Adam Amin and Bill Raftery on the call. Andy Burcham and Sonny Smith will have the radio call on 93.9 Tiger FM, online at AuburnTigers.com and on the TuneIn app.
Player to watch: Jaylin Williams
In a lineup that doesn't return a starter from last season, there will be plenty of opportunity for a young talent to emerge. Enter: Jaylin Williams. The sophomore came onto the scene late during his freshman campaign, coming off the bench to average 4.3 points and three rebounds per game, while shooting 53 percent from the floor in the final five games of 2019-20.
Inside the Series: Saint Joseph's
The Tigers and Hawks are set to meet for the third time on the hardwood in series history on Thanksgiving.
Auburn is 2-0 against Saint Joseph's all-time, with each game decided by two points at neutral sites. In the latest matchup, the Tigers earned a 65-63 overtime win on March 21, 2003 during the NCAA Tournament in Tampa, Fla.
In that game, current director of player development Marquis Daniels had 25 points on 10-of-19 shooting to go along with eight rebounds and four assists to guide 10th-seeded Auburn to a first-round win over No. 7 seed Saint Joseph's.
The first meeting between the Tigers and Hawks came on Dec. 18, 1956 in Charlotte at the Carousel Tournament. Auburn took the result, 66-64.
Season Openers
Auburn has an 83-31 (.728) record in season openers, including 61-9 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 first time since 2007 that the Tigers have not opened the season at home. Auburn has won 39 of its last 46 season openers, including a 83-74 victory over Georgia Southern in Auburn Arena last season.
Bruce Pearl is 24-1 (.960) in season openers, including 6-0 at Auburn. The Tigers defeated Georgia Southern 83-74 last season, South Alabama 101-58 in 2018, Norfolk State 102-74 in 2017, North Florida 83-66 in 2016, UAB 75-74 in 2015 and Milwaukee 83-73 in 2014 in Pearl's debut as Auburn's head coach. All six of Auburn's season openers under Pearl have been at Auburn Arena. Overall, Pearl has won 14 consecutive season openers.
Tigers Shine Bright in Florida MTEs
Auburn is 14-6 in regular season multi-team events in Florida all-time. The Tigers have been declared champions in four of 10 MTEs played in Florida in program history. The last time Auburn played in a MTE in the Sunshine State was 1995 when the Tigers defeated Norfolk State and Florida A&M to win the Capital City Classic in Tallahassee.