“The toughest conference schedule in the history of college basketball,” described by head coach Bruce Pearl sets the stage for what looks to be a gripping SEC season. Auburn faces what Pearl considers an unprecedented challenge as Tennessee leads the Southeastern Conference (SEC). But it’s still early in the season and the buzz is real.

This 2024-25 season is going great for the Tennessee Volunteers men’s basketball team. They have maintained an undefeated 14-0 record, the last unbeaten team in college basketball this season. They’ve had an impressive start to the season so far. They’ve beaten ranked opponents, including Arkansas and Baylor, stamping their authority in matches. 

The Volunteers have been playing at a level above their rivals—scoring 23.8 points ahead of their rivals on average per game. The cornerstone of their success is their defense. Their defense is ranked third nationally in defensive efficiency by KenPom. In addition, they allow just 55.9 points per game and hold opponents to a 34.7% shooting percentage.

Notably, Auburn men’s basketball isn’t trailing the SEC race. They are ranked No. 2 and are off to a good start in the SEC, sitting at 14-1. They marched on with an impressive 84-68 victory over Missouri in their opening SEC game, consolidating their place as one of the top teams in the conference and the country. Auburn, of course, has got a No. 6 scoring offense in the country with 88 points per game. And its key players like Johni Broome and Chad Baker-Mazara have played huge roles on the team.

Mark Titus, host of the Mark Titus Show on YouTube, weighed Auburn’s performance and the overall SEC competitiveness. “Until I start seeing Auburn look anything less than—Auburn looks like the best team in the country and I know Duke beat them,” said Titus, who believes the SEC can only become more interesting if Auburn is challenged.

“But until Auburn starts showing some cracks … Until Auburn looks worse than they’ve looked; it’s not as interesting to me,” he further added. All of these thoughts also explain why Auburn has been very important in enhancing the competitiveness of the SEC.

The performances during the 2024 SEC Tournament were equally stunning, as Auburn clinched their third SEC Tournament title with an 86-67 win in the final against Florida. This victory gave Auburn another tournament championship under Bruce Pearl, which was their third. The previous two came in 1985 and 2019. 

Bruce Pearl is on the cusp of a huge achievement as head coach. If Auburn wins the next game, Pearl will pass Joel Eaves for most wins in Auburn basketball program history and it’s a milestone of his impactful tenure. This will only add to Pearl’s great legacy of being one of the premier strategists and leaders of college basketball.

Upcoming Challenges for Bruce Pearl and Auburn

Auburn has a number of upcoming challenges that will for sure challenge their resilience and adaptability. Their path to the conference title will involve ten games against ranked opponents remaining in SEC play. Plus road games against Texas on January 7th and South Carolina on January 11th.

These matchups are expected to up the intensity across the SEC. In turn, it helps make the chase for the top spot even more exciting to watch.

For Auburn, Broome and Baker-Mazara will have an important role in getting over these challenges. They will have to rely on their performances and their ability to play under pressure. As they continue to remain undefeated and establish themselves among those serious contenders leading into the NCAA tournament.

Auburn’s future looks good. The team should be able to move forward, keep their strong season going, and build on it under Bruce Pearl’s guidance.

Pearl’s work at Auburn has not only raised that program to new heights but also intensified the competitive spirit of the SEC. These powerhouse teams will be playing off each other in interplay. And the fans will stay glued to the screen as they anticipate the outcome of each game.