AUBURN, Ala. – Ranked No. 1 for the second time in program history, Auburn coach Bruce Pearl applauded his team for earning a nation’s-best seven quadrant-one wins – all away from Neville Arena – while acknowledging the challenge of staying on top.
“It’s deserving considering the schedule we’ve played, the great teams we’ve beaten and the job this team has done,” said Pearl whose team previously earned the No. 1 ranking for three weeks in 2022. “It matters to me because making history at Auburn matters, and representing the SEC.
“I don’t know that we’re the best team in the country right now. We’re probably not right now, because we’re not at full strength.”
Auburn will be without leading scorer and rebounder Johni Broome, who injured his ankle Saturday at South Carolina, when the Tigers host No.15 Mississippi State Tuesday, Pearl announced Monday.
“We’re still a really good team,” Pearl said. “I have confidence that all our guys can step up their scoring. Everybody has an opportunity. We have enough talent to have everybody do a little bit more. I think that’s the best way to approach his loss.”
One of three remaining undefeated teams in SEC play along with No. 4 Alabama and No. 21 Ole Miss, the Tigers are preparing for a Bulldog team that lost at home Saturday to No. 8 Kentucky.
“Mississippi State is the best team we’ve played at home, by far,” Pearl said. “A great guard in Josh Hubbard, and (Cameron) Matthews has been one of the best players in the league for a long time.”
In Broome’s absence, Auburn will look to seniors Dylan Cardwell and Chaney Johnson for leadership in the post.
“They’ve both got to play aggressively and they’ve both got to play physically but they both cannot afford any unnecessary fouls,” Pearl said. “We’ll still go inside; that’s still a strength for us.”
“We know he (Broome) is going to be back soon,” Cardwell said. “We’ve got to weather the storm.”
Seated beside Johnson while talking to reporters Monday, Cardwell complimented Chaney for his contributions to the top-ranked Tigers.
“He can be truly unstoppable,” Cardwell said. “The sky’s the limit for someone like Chaney, who can guard one through five, dribble from coast to coast, shoot fadeaways, make tough shots. There’s nothing this guy can’t do on the court.”
Seeking their ninth straight win, No. 1 Auburn (15-1, 3-0) welcomes No. 15 Mississippi State (14-2, 2-1) Tuesday at 6 p.m. CT on SEC Network. Andy Burcham and Randall Dickey will bring the action to listeners on the Auburn Sports Network.
“It’ll be a great challenge for us,” Pearl said.
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer