The No. 2 Auburn Tigers are among the favorites to win the SEC conference this season. With their impressive 11-1 start, bolstered by four victories against ranked opponents, they’re poised for their first SEC win. But before hitting the conference court, Bruce Pearl’s team has one more challenge: the Monmouth Hawks in their final non-conference game. And Pearl’s got a lot to say about it.

In a pregame conference, when asked about making history in the upcoming game, Pearl had an interesting take. Despite the excitement of potentially setting a new SEC record, he expressed frustration with how the media and others often misunderstand the game’s nuances. “Get your players to go to their strengths, stay away from their weaknesses, continue to make each other better, and understand it’s going to be about matchups,” he shared.

“That’s one of the things that nobody really completely understands. Coaches don’t understand it. Fans certainly don’t understand it. Y’all in the media don’t understand it.” Pearl’s right—while the Tigers’ non-conference performance has been stellar, SEC play will bring new challenges.

The Tigers have roared through their schedule so far, ranking among the top 10 nationally in offensive and defensive efficiency. According to KenPom, Auburn has played the tenth toughest schedule nationally.

Navigating a difficult SEC conference with four top teams will surely land Auburn a coveted top seed. Since 2014, the Tigers have been 131-32 at Legacy Arena against teams at the SEC conference. If they nailed it this season by grabbing a win, it would end that 9-year-old record.

Pearl’s Auburn stands as a tough contender at SEC

Pearl accepts the challenges of a tough schedule but feels prepared. “We play a certain way that bothers some teams more because of the way they defend and rebound. What we do doesn’t bother others at all. It’s about how our style matches up with theirs,” he explained.

Auburn is one of only two SEC teams with five players scoring in double figures and ranks sixth nationally in scoring with 88.4 points per game (tied with Penn State Nittany Lions). Their half-court offense combines high ball screens and classic pick-and-roll plays, leading to 38% shooting from beyond the arc with a 51.4 effective field goal percentage.

Pearl highlighted the contributions of some of his less-heralded players, particularly Chad Baker-Mazara. “Chad Baker is one of the more underrated players in the country. He affects the game on both ends, makes smart decisions, and is incredibly unselfish. He’s a big reason we’re so good,” Pearl noted.

But Baker isn’t the only standout on Auburn’s roster. The team also features aggressive defense led by Johni Broome. His double-digit scoring and rebounding, along with 2.6 blocked shots per game, and the Tigers’ 6.8 steals per game, have contributed to Auburn’s impressive start.

As Auburn prepares for their final non-conference game and looks ahead to SEC play, Pearl’s confidence in his team is clear. They’ve got the talent, the strategy, and the determination to make history this season. What do you think? Comment down below!