BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Introducing Bruce Pearl at SEC Basketball Tipoff ‘25, commissioner Greg Sankey pointed out that Auburn’s coach, in his 11th season on the Plains and his 17th in the league, ranks as the dean of the Southeastern Conference in both categories.
“I feel like I just got here,” Pearl said in his opening remarks. “I’m grateful to be a part of this league. I can tell you that it’s never been better: the commitment across the board, the quality of the coaches and the passion of our fanbases.”
Pearl invited two-time media days representative Johni Broome and first-timer Denver Jones to represent their teammates Tuesday during two hours of interviews, photo and video shoots at the Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook.
“It’s an honor,” said Jones, a senior who plans to play both guard positions in his second season at Auburn after primarily being a shooting guard last year. “Transitioning back and forth feels normal. I feel I can do both.”
“Denver makes good decisions with the ball,” Pearl said. “He can score, he can get downhill, he can make tough twos, he’s unselfish. I think it’s really good for us and good for his future development.”
Fresh off being named to the All-SEC First Team, Broome told reporters he appreciates the attention but wants to earn it on the court.
“At the end of the day, I have to go out and perform,” said Broome, who led the Tigers in scoring and rebounding last season. “It’s good to be recognized but we still have to go out there, put a jersey on and win ballgames.”
Broome and the No. 11 Tigers will be tested early and often, with a non-conference schedule that includes matchups against No. 4 Houston, No. 5 Iowa State, No. 7 Duke and Nov. 14 Purdue, with potentially more ranked opponents awaiting Nov. 26-27 in the Maui Invitational.
“We’ve got all we can handle for sure,” Pearl said. “Sometimes you’ve got to act like you belong. I think our players deserve the opportunity to play against the best and have that great challenge. You’ve got to bring it every night.”
Picked to finish second in the expanded 16-team SEC, Auburn will give fans a sneak preview Thursday at Tipoff at Toomer’s before charity exhibitions Oct. 27 vs. Furman in Greenville, South Carolina, and Nov. 1 at home against Florida Atlantic prior to the season opener Nov. 6 vs. Vermont at Neville Arena.
“I would look to Auburn being very similar to a year ago,” said Pearl, whose teams have won four SEC championships in the past seven seasons. “Our greatest strength is going to be our depth. We’re going to play 10 guys double-digit minutes, and when we go to our bench we’re not going to drop off.
“Who and what and when and how is going to be a work in progress throughout the season.”