AUBURN, Ala. – Whether No. 5 Auburn is playing a top 5 team on the road or a mid-major at home, the approach remains the same.
“We’ve got to be just excited to play UNA Monday as we were to play Houston,” said senior guard Denver Jones. “That’s going to be the biggest key as far as being the more excited team. Come out ready to play like we would come out in any other game.”
Auburn’s workmanlike approach to preparation, says Bruce Pearl, pays off.
“We respect our opponents,” Pearl said. “We prepared, based on the number of days we had prior to Vermont, harder and longer than we prepared for Houston.”
The Tigers’ mix of fresh faces and veterans works in Auburn’s favor, says Pearl.
“There are enough new players in that locker room who are having their first experience, that they’re still excited about playing because this is just their fourth game, so that helps,” Pearl said. “I’ve got some seniors who are counting the games down. Every home game they play, it’s one less than they’re ever going to play in Neville Arena.”
Auburn hosts North Alabama Monday, the Tigers’ last home game before heading to Hawaii for the Maui Invitational.
“This week, we’re not doing anything for Maui a week from now,” Pearl said. “We’re preparing for North Alabama all weekend.”
Pearl referenced the Lions’ most recent visit to Neville Arena three seasons ago, when Auburn led by five points at the half before taking control in the second half, anticipating a similar challenge Monday.
“They shoot the 3 really well as a team,” he said. “They beat Air Force on the road, so they’ve got a good road win. They’re deep, they play 11 guys. They average 12 and a half or 13 steals a game, so they get after you defensively and they don’t turn the ball over.
“We’d like to try to play a little faster but the stuff they run, and their personnel, allows them to control tempo.”
Looking to improve to 4-0 while playing in front of The Jungle for the last time until Dec. 8, Auburn tips off against UNA Monday at 8 p.m. CT.
Dave Neal and Jon Sundvold form the SEC Network broadcast crew while Andy Burcham and Randall Dickey have the call on the Auburn Sports Network.
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer