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Auburn Basketball: 2024-25 season preview for the Tigers

Mar 22, 2024; Spokane, WA, USA; Auburn Tigers forward Johni Broome (4) drives to the basket against Yale Bulldogs guard Bez Mbeng (2) during the first half of a game in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Mar 22, 2024; Spokane, WA, USA; Auburn Tigers forward Johni Broome (4) drives to the basket against Yale Bulldogs guard Bez Mbeng (2) during the first half of a game in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Season Outlook

The names involved with that Final Four have long since left the halls of Auburn, but that doesn’t mean those that have followed haven’t been capable either. This program has been in fantastic shape regardless of those postseason struggles. A decade ago it would’ve been insane to consider these Tigers a national contender on a multi-season basis, and that’s exactly the position that Pearl has put this program in, now beginning his 11th season in command.

Pearl has been a winner at every school he’s coached and he’s certainly built another great veteran lineup. Everything starts and ends with Broome, who’ll look to build on an All-American season. He’s an elite scorer, rebounder, and shot blocker; when he’s on the court Auburn is in fantastic shape. However, it’s also clear that Cardwell and the other pieces in the frontcourt aren’t exactly slouches either. The emergence last season of Baker-Mazara was also fantastic news and the Tigers will hope for even more from him.

Things are a little different in the backcourt this season with those transfer additions. Pegues has star power and is coming off a brilliant season at Furman, while Kelly has already proven himself at the power conference level. Every player is different, but concerns about Pegues shouldn’t last long; after all Broome, Jones, and several other recent Auburn stars cut their teeth at the mid-major level before making the leap.

The bottom line is that Auburn has an undoubtedly elite weapon in the paint and some electric guards around him. If Pegues makes the adjustment, he can be a fantastic point guard and one of the SEC’s top transfer additions. The whole package of this lineup is sensational; it’s just a question of the depth behind them. An injury or two could really halter this season and force the Tigers to lean on a young piece like Pettiford or Howard sooner than expected.

Next. Preseason SEC power rankings for 2024-25. Preseason SEC power rankings for 2024-25. dark

That’s no knock on Auburn, as any team can be undone by injuries, and this year’s team looks to have it all on offense and defense. The 3-point shooting just hasn’t been consistent since the Final Four run, and figuring that out with these new shooters could go a long way towards a successful year in Auburn. When the dust settles, could Auburn produce an elite offense alongside an elite defense for a second straight season?