AUBURN, Ala. – Six weeks prior to tipping off the 2023-24 season, Auburn practiced Tuesday, the next step in preparing a team that blends proven performers with promising newcomers.
"This is the best time of the year for us because we're trying to put together what we think we have," said coach Bruce Pearl, in his 10th season on the Plains.
Summer workouts – four hours per week on the court and four hours of strength and conditioning – have given Pearl a glimpse of what fans will see when the Tigers take on Baylor in the season opener Nov. 7 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
"We bring enough guys and enough experience back to build on," Pearl said. "That gives us enough new players to put a little bit of pop in the lineup, new things we can work on with new personnel which makes it very exciting.
"This has been the hardest-working group we've had as far as guys coming in on their own and putting in the work. Everybody stepped up."
Pointing to Auburn's success over the past six years including three SEC championships and the 2019 Final Four appearance, Pearl plans to build on that foundation.
"Our goal is to be able to come back next year and say over the last seven years, we've had the best program in the league," he said. "That's going to be challenging because there are some people who are right behind us. To do that, we're going to have to have a great year."
'He's got some special in him': Bruce Pearl on freshman guard Aden Holloway
Freshman Aden Holloway and sophomore Tre Donaldson will share point guard duties, surrounded by seasoned teammates at the other four positions.
"Aden's in there every morning without fail," Pearl said. He's got some special in him. He can really shoot the ball and he's got great range. He's a quiet leader. He and Tre have done a phenomenal job working together, competing against each other but being unbelievable teammates."
Transfers Denver Jones (35.7 percent in 2022-23) , Chaney Johnson (37.2 percent career) and Chad Baker-Mazara (46.9 percent in 2022-23) should give the Tigers ample perimeter shooting options.
"So far this fall we've shot it better," Pearl said, referencing Auburn's 31.5-percent 3-point shooting last season. "I don't know if it's because we're not defending it as well. It's something we definitely need to improve on and I think we have the personnel to do it."
High-profile opponents fill Auburn's non-conference schedule. Notre Dame in Brooklyn. Indiana in Atlanta. Southern Cal and Virginia Tech. A Dec. 13 matchup vs. UNC Asheville in Huntsville is already sold out.
"It's about getting ready and staying relevant," Pearl said.
Familiar names return: Johni Broome, Jaylin Williams, K.D. Johnson, Dylan Cardwell, Lior Berman and Chris Moore have all endeared themselves to Auburn fans while proving themselves during the rigors of SEC play.
Opening night vs. Baylor will be here soon.
"We're a little bigger, we're a little older," Pearl said. "Will we use that age and experience? Will we pick up our physicality, our defense and our toughness That's to be determined."
Dylan Cardwell
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer