AUBURN, Ala. – While players Bruce Pearl recruited from Atlanta have helped Auburn reach the Final Four and win SEC championships, the Tigers' coach has also targeted student-athletes from the state of Alabama, many of whom Pearl will coach against Saturday at Auburn Arena.
"Alabama has a bunch of really good Alabama players," Pearl said. "I know because I recruited almost every one of them, and didn't get any of them, and so this game matters to both teams."
An exception is former Auburn center and Birmingham native Austin Wiley, who's now playing professionally in Germany.
"Austin's got something to be proud of," Pearl said. "He was 5-1 against Alabama, and that matters. Austin could have gone anywhere. He came to Auburn and he, as much as anybody, helped us make this a competitive program."
Auburn (6-5, 0-3) seeks its first SEC win while hoping to hand Alabama (8-3, 3-0) its first conference defeat.
"They're elite as far as their ability to guard," Pearl said. "Offensively, they're really hard to guard because they have four or five guys who are difficult to stay in front of. They spread it, they shoot it."
Juniors Jamal Johnson and sophomores Jaylin Williams and Allen Flanigan have improved the most among Auburn's returners, Pearl said. Each averages more than 10 points per game.
"I'm really proud of them for the progress they've made," Pearl said. "You can see the work they've put in, taking advantage of the opportunity, but we definitely need more. You can get a year older but not a year better. Those three guys have all gotten a year better.
"I've got to focus on how we're playing and how we're developing, and how mentally tough they stay," Pearl said. "This is not a lot of fun for us. What we're doing right now is not good enough to win in the league, period. We all need to do a little bit more, myself and every player out there. If we can start getting a little bit more then we'll start winning some of these games."
Seeking its seventh series victory in the past 10 meetings, Auburn hosts Alabama Saturday at 11 a.m. CT on ESPN2 and the Auburn Sports Network. The Tigers have won five in a row against Alabama at Auburn Arena.
"Hopefully we are going to play a lot better than we've been playing and have a chance to keep this one competitive," Pearl said. "The kids have had a couple good days of preparation and we're looking forward to the opportunity."Player to Watch: Dylan Cardwell
Big man Dylan Cardwell has provided a spark off the bench in his first season in the orange and blue. The freshman touts a .750 field goal percentage, good for second in the SEC, trailing only Vanderbilt's Quentin Millora-Brown (.789). Cardwell has led Auburn in rebounding three times, including once in SEC play, and is averaging 4.4 boards in just 14.5 minutes per contest.
Inside the Series: Alabama
The Tigers and Crimson Tide are set to meet on the hardwood for the 163rd time Saturday morning. Alabama leads the all-time series, 97-65, but Auburn has won six of the last nine in the series.
Auburn is 33-27 against Alabama at home, including 7-3 inside Auburn Arena. In total, the Tigers have won seven of the last eight on The Plains, including the last five. In the last eight games at home, Auburn has outscored Alabama 82.5-72.1.
In last year's duel in Auburn Arena on Feb. 12, the Tigers emerged victorious, 95-91 in overtime. It was Auburn's fourth overtime game in the previous five games. The Tigers fended off an SEC record 22 3-pointers by the Crimson Tide and dominated the battle at the charity stripe, making 26 free throws compared to nine for Alabama.
The Crimson Tide handed the Tigers their first loss of the season in Tuscaloosa in the first meeting between the two sides last year on Jan. 15, 83-64. Despite starting the season 15-0, Auburn had 21 turnovers and was limited to 32 percent shooting from the floor.
Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl is 12-9 in his head coaching career against Alabama. Pearl 5-1 at home vs. the Crimson Tide while leading the Tigers. Pearl is 1-1 against Alabama head coach Nate Oats.
Balanced Attack
After losing a majority of its production from a season ago, Auburn has had to count on players to assume new roles for the 2020-21 season. In doing so, the Tigers have found balance across their lineup.
Auburn is the only team in country to have three players averaging at least 10 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in Allen Flanigan, Justin Powell and Jaylin Williams.
The Tigers are one of 15 teams to have multiple players achieve the criteria joining Bryant, Buffalo, The Citadel, Florida, Gonzaga, Louisville, Missouri State, New Mexico State, Northern Iowa, Ohio, Oklahoma State, Siena, South Dakota State and SMU. Auburn and Florida are the only schools to have multiple underclassmen average 10 points, 4.5 boards and 2.5 assists.
Jay-Will Showcasing His Talents
In his second season in the program, Jaylin Williams is showcasing why he is one of the top talents in the Southeastern Conference.
Williams is one of five underclassmen forwards in the country to average 10 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game this season.
In addition, Williams is one of just two big men in the SEC to average three assists per game so far this campaign, joining LSU's Trendon Watford.
Williams has scored in double figures seven times this season, including five of the last six games. Williams made a statement in his first collegiate start against Saint Joseph's on Nov. 26 when he had 18 points and 11 rebounds, good for his first career double-double. Most recently, Williams set a career-high with 24 points on 7-of-14 from the floor, including 6-of-10 from 3, and added four rebounds and four assists.
Auburn hosts Alabama, seeking 'a little bit more'
