Austin Wiley returns to Auburn practice

Auburn center Austin Wiley has returned to practice, according to Jon Rothstein of FanRag Sports.

While Wiley is now participating in practice, he won’t be cleared for full contact for three more weeks.

Wiley was the talk of the summer due to his performances with the FIFA U19 World Cup team before suffering a stress fracture in his left leg.

He did not play during Auburn’s overseas trip to Italy.

Lovell’s Analysis

Wiley’s effectiveness will determine how far the Tigers can go in a loaded SEC.

He’s gotten stronger and can be dominant in the paint pretty much any time he wants to be, and as I wrote in this year’s Athlon Sports preview magazine, the offense will go through him.

The big man was still adjusting to the speed of the game last season, so it limited his effectiveness on both ends of the floor.

But the key for Auburn this season will be slowing down and making sure that Wiley gets a look on every single possession. He will be able to completely change how teams try to guard the Tigers, but only if there’s a concerted effort to get him the ball consistently.

If that happens, the sky’s the limit for Bruce Pearl’s team in their quest to reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2003.