BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Focusing first on defense helped Johnnie Harris lead Auburn women’s basketball back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in five years.
“It’s what we do,” Harris said. “It’s our standard. The hardest part was getting players that fit. We have players that fit that system.”
In her fourth season on the Plains, Harris will continue to prioritize defense.
“Our team is working really hard,” Harris said. “We’re a little bit ahead of where we have been, defensively, since I’ve been here. That’s really exciting for me. Fans will be excited about what they see on the defensive end.”
Harris traveled to the Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook on Wednesday to promote her program at SEC Tipoff ’25, outlining how Auburn will attempt to replace the offensive firepower of departed All-American Honesty Scott-Grayson.
“We do have some other parts we’re going to be able to use on the offensive end as well,” Harris said. “We’ve been a team that probably had only one option on offense but now we have some other people who are going to make people guard them. It’s going to be hard for opponents to focus on just one person. That’s exciting to put these kids in position so they can do what they do best.”
For the second straight year, Harris invited senior forward Taylen Collins to represent her teammates at SEC media day.
“It’s really exciting,” Collins said. “It’s a great opportunity to showcase and talk about your team and get to brag a little bit too.”
Collins, who started all 32 games last season while averaging 7.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, will play both small forward and power forward this season, Harris says.
“It’s very promising,” Collins said. “We have the opportunity to be really big this year, always bringing the defensive energy also.”