AUBURN, Ala. – The Auburn men's basketball team and head coach Bruce Pearl have announced the non-conference schedule for the upcoming 2021-22 season.
"This is the most ambitious non-conference schedule in the history of Auburn men's basketball and in my career," Pearl said. "There are nine high-major conference schools on the schedule outside of league play."
In addition to seven home games on the slate, the Tigers are scheduled to take part in four neutral-site contests, which includes three games at the Battle 4 Atlantis and one in Atlanta, Ga. for Holiday Hoopsgiving, as well as two true road tilts.
"This is an opportunity for our fans to travel," Pearl added. "We'll be playing in Tampa at Amalie Arena where the SEC Tournament is going to be and Saint Louis, which is a great Midwestern city. We're looking forward to playing in Atlanta again where we have so many fans and alumni. These are great places and opportunities for our fans to travel.
"Playing two true road games and four neutral-site games are ways to improve your standing with the NCAA Tournament selection committee."
Auburn officially opens its eighth season under Pearl when it plays host to Morehead State, Nov. 9. The Tigers then welcome ULM to Auburn Arena Nov. 12 for their final home game of the month.
Auburn begins a home-and-home series with USF Nov. 19 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, which is the site of the 2022 Southeastern Conference Tournament.
Next, the Tigers are set to take part in the prestigious Battle 4 Atlantis at Paradise Island, Bahamas where they will open the annual three-day tournament against UConn Nov. 24 at 1:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.
The Tigers and Huskies meet for the second game of the tournament following the Michigan State-Loyola Chicago duel at 11 a.m. CT to complete the top half of the bracket. The bottom half of the bracket includes matchups between Syracuse and VCU as well as Arizona State and Baylor.
The Battle 4 Atlantis men's field is among the most impressive in its history, with teams accounting for eight national championships, 27 Final Four appearances and 70 conference championships.
Auburn then is set to host a pair of games against UCF (Dec. 1), which completes the return of a home-and-home series that began last season, and Yale (Dec. 4).
The Tigers are scheduled to face Nebraska in the second annual Holiday Hoopsgiving as part of a quadruple-header Dec. 11 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Following a home duel with in-state foe North Alabama (Dec. 14), Auburn is slated to travel to Saint Louis for a road game Dec. 18.
Just prior to conference play, the Tigers welcome Murray State Dec. 22.
The final non-conference game of the regular season takes place in the heart of the league schedule as Auburn hosts Oklahoma for the ninth annual Big 12/SEC Challenge Jan. 29.
All of the Tigers' games will be carried on the Auburn Sports Network. Full television information and start times will be announced at a later date.
Season tickets have been sold out every year under Pearl. Fans can join the Wait List to begin to build their TUF Basketball priority for future seasons. Additional information on single game ticket sales will be released closer to the season.
Travel information for the Battle 4 Atlantis can be found at www.AuburnTigersTravel.com.
Ticket information for Holiday Hoopsgiving will be released at a later date at www.theviigroup.com.
