Our SEC basketball non-conference schedule analysis series continues with a look at the road ahead for Auburn.
The Tigers enter the year with high expectations after capturing an SEC regular season title, and their schedule will definitely offer some entertaining challenges before conference play gets going.
Let’s look at the non-conference opponents for Bruce Pearl’s team.
For Auburn’s entire regular season schedule, visit the team’s official website.
vs. South Alabama (Nov. 6)
2017-18 Record: 14-18
Season Outlook:
Richie Riley is the new man in Mobile after two years as head coach at Nicholls State, and the expectation is that the Jaguars will really start pushing the tempo.
Nicholls State averaged just 15.3 seconds per possession in Riley’s second season, which could become a main theme in the South Alabama program.
What’ll help right away is the team returning its top five scorers and adding South Carolina grad transfer Kory Holden, who averaged 17.7 points per game at Delaware before bolting for Columbia.
vs. Washington (Nov. 9)
2017-18 Record: 21-13
Season Outlook:
This will be a battle of preseason top 25 teams as the Huskies enter at No. 25.
Mike Hopkins will display the signature 2-3 zone defense from his Syracuse days yet again after finishing as one of the Pac-12’s most efficient defensive teams last year.
Washington returns nearly everyone (including four players who averaged between 11.2 and 16.0 points per contest) and has the depth to win a conference title, so this will be a huge early-season showcase for both teams at Auburn Arena.
vs. Mississippi College (Nov. 14)
2017-18 Record: 9-16
Season Outlook:
The Choctaws were recently picked to finish 11th in the Gulf South Conference preseason poll, which isn’t ideal ahead of a matchup with a top 15 Division I team.
vs. Xavier (Nov. 19, Maui Invitational)
2017-18 Record: 29-6
Season Outlook: The Travis Steele era is officially underway at Xavier, and he’s certainly a great fit after experiencing a ton of success as an assistant at the school since 2008.
But matching the 29 wins and a No. 1 seed from last year will be difficult. The Musketeers lose 57 points per game and playmakers like Trevon Bluiett and JP Macura from an offense that finished in the top 10 nationally in overall efficiency.
However, as is usually the case, Xavier should be able to use its toughness and its defense as a staple in trying to remain a Big East contender.
vs. Duke or San Diego State (Nov. 20, Maui Invitational)
2017-18 Record: Duke 29-8, SDSU 22-11
Season Outlook:
The Blue Devils enter the season ranked No. 4 in the country due to a ridiculous freshman class that includes four top-15 players. Mike Krzyzewski already seems pleased with the chemistry between the group, and that’s trouble for the rest of the nation.
Meanwhile, San Diego State is coming off an unexpected NCAA Tournament appearance in Brian Dutcher’s first season, and potential 2019 lottery pick Jalen McDaniels is one of three double-digit scorers returning.
The Aztecs may have trouble eclipsing Nevada in the Mountain West race, but they’re more than capable of making a return to the madness if the defensive intensity (first in MWC in scoring defense) stays the same.
vs. Arizona/Iowa St/Gonzaga/Illinois (Nov. 21, Maui Invitational)
2017-18 Record: Arizona 27-8, Iowa St 13-18, Gonzaga 32-5, Illinois 14-18
Season Outlook:
Gonzaga would be the most intriguing opponent of the group, as the Zags come in at No. 3 in the preseason AP poll.
Arizona should take a step back after losing all five starters, but the Wildcats will still likely be making things hard on opponents by season’s end.
Iowa State will be much-improved with a strong backcourt and the addition of versatile Virginia transfer Marial Shayok.
Illinois has more size and athleticism than it did last year, but Brad Underwood’s team is still in rebuilding mode.
vs. Saint Peter’s (Nov. 28)
2017-18 Record: 14-18
Season Outlook:
Shaheen Holloway is the Peacocks’ new coach, and he’ll look to revamp a program that’s had just one winning season since 2011.
There are several solid veterans returning on the roster, but the biggest thing to watch going forward will be style of play.
Saint Peter’s regularly slowed the tempo during the John Dunne era (350th in KenPom in adjusted tempo), and that figures to change with Holloway’s arrival.
vs. UNC Asheville (Dec. 4)
2017-18 Record: 21-13
Season Outlook:
Mike Morrell, who worked as Shaka Smart’s assistant from 2011 to 2018, comes over as the team’s new head coach after Nick McDevitt left for Middle Tennessee. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs lose all five starters from a 21-win team, and there may be some ups and downs in his first season.
But with his desire to play Smart’s trademark havoc defense, Morrell could have his team being more competitive than people think in his first season.
vs. Dayton (Dec. 8)
2017-18 Record: 14-17
Season Outlook:
It was no surprise to see the Flyers struggle in Anthony Grant’s first season after losing four starters from the prior year. However, will undoubtedly be improvement this season due to four of the team’s top five scorers returning.
Dayton won just two games away from home last season, so that number certainly needs to go up to be a factor in the Atlantic 10.
at UAB (Dec. 15)
2017-18 Record: 20-13
Season Outlook:
The Blazers hit the 20-win mark in Rob Ehsan’s third season on the job, and he’ll look to keep the momentum despite having to replace four starters.
UAB was efficient on the offensive side of the court in shooting 48.8 percent from the field (20th nationally), but that may go down a little with all the new additions.
Still, Ehsan has depth, and it’s just a matter of seeing which newcomers break out as reliable contributors.
at NC State (Dec. 19)
2017-18 Record: 21-12
Season Outlook:
After leading the Wolfpack to the NCAA Tournament in his first season in Raleigh, Kevin Keatts practically has an entirely new roster to work with.
He does return three players that averaged at least 8.9 points per game (Tarin Dorn, Braxton Beverly, and Markell Johnson), but how the nine newcomers mesh from a chemistry standpoint will decide NC State’s tournament hopes.
vs. Murray State (Dec. 22)
2017-18 Record: 26-6
Season Outlook:
The reigning OVC tournament champions lose two all-conference players in Jonathan Stark (21.4 ppg, 36.4 mpg) and Terrell Miller (15.1 ppg, 8.6 rpg).
However, the transition shouldn’t be all that bad thanks to the return of all-around playmaker Ja Morant, who could emerge as one of the most impactful guards in the nation.
vs. North Florida (Dec. 29)
2017-18 Record: 14-19
Season Outlook:
Matthew Driscoll’s team was 11th in adjusted offensive tempo a season ago but finished 345th in defensive efficiency in allowing 87.1 points per game (349th nationally).
The good news? All five double-digit scorers are back, and having a more experienced roster should allow Driscoll to move the Ospreys back up the Atlantic Sun ladder.
Overall Schedule Analysis
This year’s Maui field is no joke, as Auburn will be one of three top-11 teams in the tournament.
Potential matchups against Duke and Gonzaga will garner the most intrigue, but the Nov. 9 game against Washington could be equally as important.
Road trips to UAB and NC State will be far from easy, and even if some of the other teams on the schedule are in a transition phase, the Tigers should face plenty of different playing styles.
Maui will tell us a lot about Pearl’s team, and there’s a chance to build an excellent tournament resume before going to Oxford on Jan. 9 to tip off SEC play.
For more SEC basketball coverage, follow me on Twitter @theblakelovell.