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Auburn men’s basketball finished a loaded non-conference schedule with an 87-58 win over Monmouth. The No. 2 Tigers dominated their opponents with the help of an 18-0 run to close out the first half, and they will now prepare to face a gauntlet of SEC opponents from January to March.
After his team’s successful non-conference finale, Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl sent a passionate message about the most loaded SEC college basketball has ever seen.
“Now we get ready to start the toughest conference schedule in the history of college basketball,” Pearl said in his postgame presser. “There’s maybe never been a league like this. The strong literally are going to be the only ones who are going to survive. Hungry, healthy, humble is the way to get through it.”
SEC teams have compiled a ridiculous 182-23 record this season. The Tigers have established themselves as clear contenders for a national championship, and their conference schedule will force them to show it on a nightly basis.
Bruce Pearl gave strong opinions on his talented freshmen
Auburn has leaned on an experienced group of seniors led by National Player of the Year candidate Johni Broome. However, two Tigers freshmen have flashed signs of greatness during the warm-up for SEC action.
Tahaad Pettiford and Jahki Howard look like stars in the making. Pettiford dropped nine points in 27 minutes off the bench against Monmouth, and he is averaging 11.3 points per game on 44.1% shooting from 3-point range. Pettiford has also made all 14 of his free throw attempts this season.
Meanwhile, Howard has averaged 8.0 points in 14.8 minutes per game on 55.6% shooting from both the field and from three. The 19-year-old NBA prospect has insane bounce, and he has already given Tigers fans multiple highlight dunks this season.
“Jahki Howard is going to be a great player and play in the NBA someday,” Pearl said. “He’s gifted and talented, and he’s also a hard worker.”
In Year 11 as Auburn’s head coach, Pearl led the Tigers to a 12-1 record in what he called “the toughest non-conference schedule in the history of Auburn basketball.” Pearl and his players are aware of the challenges that lie ahead, but they seem as ready as anyone to face the music.