Top-seeded Auburn prepares to host South Alabama in the opening round of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) this Tuesday. Despite narrowly missing an NCAA Tournament berth, Auburn views the NIT as a valuable opportunity to compete on a high-profile stage.
Auburn head coach Steven Pearl emphasized the team’s commitment to compete, stating, “We’re all here to compete. I’m not going to duck away from an opportunity to prepare and compete and play basketball.” The Tigers aim to capitalize on this chance by stringing together victories in pursuit of an NIT championship.
The Tigers, holding a 17-16 record, will face off against a strong South Alabama squad that finished the regular season at 21-11. South Alabama, representing the Sun Belt Conference, features Sun Belt Player of the Year Chaze Harris, who averages nearly 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. Their reliance on zone defense and the presence of two notable high-major players makes them a formidable and motivated opponent.
Coach Pearl warned that the Jaguars will be playing with high intensity on Auburn’s home court. “Our guys have to be ready because they’re going to be coming in here with their hair on fire trying to knock us off,” he said. Expectations for Tuesday’s game are high, as it will be nationally televised on ESPN2, giving Auburn a platform to showcase their skills.
The game will take place at 9 p.m. CT, with radio coverage carried by the Auburn Sports Network. Tickets are priced at $25, while Auburn University students have free admission. The event marks the culmination of a busy day on the Plains, which includes the first spring football practice under new head coach Alex Golesh and a top-5 baseball showdown against Georgia Tech.
Auburn seeks to regain momentum following their near miss of the NCAA Tournament. Coach Pearl emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive mindset, encouraging players to approach the NIT with enthusiasm. “It’s a nationally televised game against a team that’s in our state at home in a national tournament. That should be all the motivation they need,” Pearl said.
If Auburn performs well, they have the opportunity to extend their season by winning up to five games in the NIT. This tournament provides a platform for growth, exposure, and competition that Auburn intends to leverage fully as the Tigers look to reinforce their status in college basketball in the weeks ahead.
Read more at: auburntigers.com
