AUBURN, Ala. – After scoring at least 95 points in each of its first four games – two exhibitions and two that count in the standings – No. 22 Auburn knows it’s what happens at the other end of the court that will determine how the season goes.
“We are one of the best teams, if not the best team offensively in the country, but I also know that right now defensively, we’re not worth squat,” freshman forward Sebastian Williams-Adams said. “We’re going to have to get better at that.”
After holding Merrimack to 57 points last week, the Tigers take on Wofford Tuesday at Neville Arena.
“We’re going to have our hands full,” Auburn coach Steven Pearl said. “It’s a team that’s playing with a little bit of confidence right now.”
That confidence comes from Wofford’s 86-76 win Saturday over Milwaukee, the Horizon League preseason favorite and the program that Bruce Pearl coached before coming to the SEC.
“For Wofford to be able to handle that team caught my attention and it caught our guys’ attention,” Steven Pearl said. “It’s a great opportunity for us to learn and to grow.”
Pearl began Monday’s press conference by offering condolences to former Auburn walk-on and dedicated Tiger fan Michael Hardin, the father of Auburn track and field student-athlete Max Hardin, who passed away from cancer on Sunday.
“He’s been there since day one on that baseline,” Pearl said. “Michael was so consistent and always there. Please keep that family in your prayers, such great people and he was a big part of our program and the success we’ve had.”
In its Military Appreciation game, No. 22 Auburn (2-0) hosts Wofford (1-1) on Tuesday at 7 p.m. CT on Veterans Day on SEC Network+. Auburn Sports Network listeners can catch play-by-play and analysis from Andy Burcham and Randall Dickey.
“They’re going to play hard, they’re going to fly around,” Pearl said. “We’ve got to match that intensity.”
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer