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Auburn Basketball: Breaking down why Tigers are so special in 2021-22 season

By Caleb Hightower

Dec 4, 2021; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers forward Chris Moore (5) and players on the bench react to a late 3-point shot late in the second half against the Yale Bulldogs at Auburn Arena. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2021; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers forward Chris Moore (5) and players on the bench react to a late 3-point shot late in the second half against the Yale Bulldogs at Auburn Arena. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports /
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Auburn Basketball forward Walker Kessler John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Auburn Basketball forward Walker Kessler John Reed-USA TODAY Sports /

Legitimate rim protection

If you go back and look at last year’s roster/statistics, you’ll probably arrive at the conclusion that the Tigers were missing a true rim protector who would cause problems for opposing teams. That quickly changed when Bruce Pearl landed North Carolina transfer, Walker Kessler, in the offseason and fulfilled that defensive need.

The 7’1″ big man didn’t see a ton of action at North Carolina as a freshman, but Bruce Pearl has given Kessler the opportunity to play his game at Auburn. Kessler is averaging 4.1 blocks and 7.4 rebounds per game to go along with 10.7 points so far this season. Auburn currently leads the country in blocks recorded per game (8.3) and I think that’ll be the case all year as long as Kessler continues his outstanding shot-blocking ways.

If you aspire to be an above-average shot-blocker at any level, you must be able to resist the urge of biting on shot fakes in the paint, which is something that Kessler does frequently. I mean, I understand trying to get big men to leave their feet and bump into you on their way back down to the hardwood, but it’ll be extremely difficult to get a disciplined defender like Kessler to bail his opponents out by getting out of position and committing idiotic fouls.

Unless you’re able to get a step on Kessler as you’re turning the corner in pick-and-roll situations, you’ll have a hard time finishing in the paint when he’s in the area. I should also add that it’s going to be a long night for you if you think that Kessler will take plays off and surrender uncontested layups at the rim because Kessler has shown that he is 100% committed to challenging any and every shot that comes his way.

Kessler has swatted two or more shots in 15 of Auburn’s 19 games and enjoys a 19.3% block rate (best in the country). Why is that so important? Well, because it allows Auburn’s guards to take more risks on the perimeter knowing that Kessler will step up and save the day if their gambles don’t work out.

If Kessler remains a high-level rim protector for Auburn as they move through league play, the Tigers will be a tough team to score on at the rim all season long.

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