We are set to speak with Bruce Pearl as Auburn men's basketball opens up practice.
Follow along and refresh for all updates.
*** What's the best time of the year as a basketball coach? Right now is about it in the sense we have been going for about a month going with the 8 hours a week. Guys have been doing a lot on their own. This is the best time because we are trying to put together what we think we have. It's time to put it all together. The guys are already ready to play against someone else.
*** Mentions there is a lot they need to put in offensively and defensively.
*** Proud of last year's team for hanging in especially during a grueling conference season. "Our ability to hang in and play well on the road was enough to get us in the tournament which was not a given anymore."
*** Top teams are always going to be the top teams in the SEC but the programs at the bottom have new coaches in the last year or two that should be making their move.
*** "A win over Houston would have made a good season into a great season."
*** Says there is enough experience to build on with the guys that are coming back along with a lot of newcomers that will put a little bit of pop in the lineup.
*** Over the last six years, we have arguably had the best program in the SEC. Our goal is to come back next year and say we have had the best program over the last seven years.
*** On roster building and management during the NIL era: "I like the transfer portal because I like for kids to have the opportunity. I hate the transfer portal because I hate losing guys. That being said, every time we have lost somebody in the family, we have gotten better."
*** Denver Jones is a much better offensive player than Zep. He needs to work on his defense a little bit. He's stronger and bigger. You wouldn't recognize him if you saw him in the spring compared to now. He's put on 15 pounds of muscle. Same thing with Chaney Johnson, who got a haircut and BP didn't even recognize him when he walked into the gym the other day.
*** Chaney Johnson is battling with Jaylin for the starting position and it is really close. I think we are better at that position because of the transfer. Yohan out. Chaney in.
*** Very proud of Allen Flanigan for playing his best ball at the end of the season after going through some adversity.
*** Chad Baker-Mazara has gained 10 pounds since getting here. He's still 6-foot-7 and 180 pounds.
*** On 13th scholarship player: "I doubt we will use that 13th scholarship. I take pride in the fact that it has been awhile since we have had 13 players on scholarship. It's hard to keep everyone happy."
*** On 3-point percentage being lower and was getting these players part of the plan to improve that? "Man, I would love to take credit for being part of the plan." Says they went and got the best talent they could get. Mentions the three most dominant players in college basketball last season didn't get drafted because they can't shoot it.
*** BP thinks the team is shooting the 3 better, but they still need to improve on.
*** On the stacked non-conference slate: "In order to maintain relevance, Auburn basketball in five of the last six years have been in the top 11 in the country. I don't think we got to the top 10. That might surprise you. So to maintain relevance in the world of college basketball which is a challenge for anyone, we have to play a schedule." Mentions Baylor being the first game. "We will find out where we are right away."
*** Has home games against USC and Virginia Tech. USC could come here in the top 10 with an improved roster from last year. Va Tech is the best coached team in the ACC.
*** Playing Indiana in Atlanta. BP wants everyone to show up so that is a home game for Auburn. Mentions how well the Hoosiers fan base travels. (I can attest to that.)
*** "My goal coming to Auburn was to get the basketball program up to the standard to where the other athletic programs are and where parts of the university are."
*** If BP had expectations, he thinks he has exceeded them at Auburn so far. "I want to do the best job that I can with what we have. I'm very proud of the fact that in the first two years when we weren't successful, there were moments. Getting to the SEC semifinals in year one with a depleted roster, winning three games in Nashville, was as important as anything we have accomplished because it set the tone."
*** What should we expect from Aden Holloway? "Just like Jabari or Walker or Isaac, he's one of our hardest workers. Right how him and Chaney Johnson and then Denver are the hardest workers. This is the hardest working group we have had as far as players coming in on their own. Aden is in there every morning. He's got some special in him. He can really shoot the ball and has great range." Mentions Aden and Tre have been incredible working together.
*** Best thing BP says he can do late in the shot clock is get Aden open and get him a shot.
*** On the transfer newcomers gelling: "So far I think we have gone five-for-five in the transfer portal (KD, Wendell, Walker and Zep). Johni Broome was the only transfer last year.
*** Mentions that Addarin Scott will be a great player for the Tigers in the future, but he's behind Jaylin and Johni right now.
*** "I have been trying to put us through adversity by being a butthole in practice." - BP
*** BP says we won't be as good defending on the ball without Zep. Probably won't be able to put as much pressure on the ball. Might be switching more. They are bigger at the guard position now."
*** If there is one thing I think we need to approve on is toughness.
That's it for BP.
Follow along and refresh for all updates.
*** What's the best time of the year as a basketball coach? Right now is about it in the sense we have been going for about a month going with the 8 hours a week. Guys have been doing a lot on their own. This is the best time because we are trying to put together what we think we have. It's time to put it all together. The guys are already ready to play against someone else.
*** Mentions there is a lot they need to put in offensively and defensively.
*** Proud of last year's team for hanging in especially during a grueling conference season. "Our ability to hang in and play well on the road was enough to get us in the tournament which was not a given anymore."
*** Top teams are always going to be the top teams in the SEC but the programs at the bottom have new coaches in the last year or two that should be making their move.
*** "A win over Houston would have made a good season into a great season."
*** Says there is enough experience to build on with the guys that are coming back along with a lot of newcomers that will put a little bit of pop in the lineup.
*** Over the last six years, we have arguably had the best program in the SEC. Our goal is to come back next year and say we have had the best program over the last seven years.
*** On roster building and management during the NIL era: "I like the transfer portal because I like for kids to have the opportunity. I hate the transfer portal because I hate losing guys. That being said, every time we have lost somebody in the family, we have gotten better."
*** Denver Jones is a much better offensive player than Zep. He needs to work on his defense a little bit. He's stronger and bigger. You wouldn't recognize him if you saw him in the spring compared to now. He's put on 15 pounds of muscle. Same thing with Chaney Johnson, who got a haircut and BP didn't even recognize him when he walked into the gym the other day.
*** Chaney Johnson is battling with Jaylin for the starting position and it is really close. I think we are better at that position because of the transfer. Yohan out. Chaney in.
*** Very proud of Allen Flanigan for playing his best ball at the end of the season after going through some adversity.
*** Chad Baker-Mazara has gained 10 pounds since getting here. He's still 6-foot-7 and 180 pounds.
*** On 13th scholarship player: "I doubt we will use that 13th scholarship. I take pride in the fact that it has been awhile since we have had 13 players on scholarship. It's hard to keep everyone happy."
*** On 3-point percentage being lower and was getting these players part of the plan to improve that? "Man, I would love to take credit for being part of the plan." Says they went and got the best talent they could get. Mentions the three most dominant players in college basketball last season didn't get drafted because they can't shoot it.
*** BP thinks the team is shooting the 3 better, but they still need to improve on.
*** On the stacked non-conference slate: "In order to maintain relevance, Auburn basketball in five of the last six years have been in the top 11 in the country. I don't think we got to the top 10. That might surprise you. So to maintain relevance in the world of college basketball which is a challenge for anyone, we have to play a schedule." Mentions Baylor being the first game. "We will find out where we are right away."
*** Has home games against USC and Virginia Tech. USC could come here in the top 10 with an improved roster from last year. Va Tech is the best coached team in the ACC.
*** Playing Indiana in Atlanta. BP wants everyone to show up so that is a home game for Auburn. Mentions how well the Hoosiers fan base travels. (I can attest to that.)
*** "My goal coming to Auburn was to get the basketball program up to the standard to where the other athletic programs are and where parts of the university are."
*** If BP had expectations, he thinks he has exceeded them at Auburn so far. "I want to do the best job that I can with what we have. I'm very proud of the fact that in the first two years when we weren't successful, there were moments. Getting to the SEC semifinals in year one with a depleted roster, winning three games in Nashville, was as important as anything we have accomplished because it set the tone."
*** What should we expect from Aden Holloway? "Just like Jabari or Walker or Isaac, he's one of our hardest workers. Right how him and Chaney Johnson and then Denver are the hardest workers. This is the hardest working group we have had as far as players coming in on their own. Aden is in there every morning. He's got some special in him. He can really shoot the ball and has great range." Mentions Aden and Tre have been incredible working together.
*** Best thing BP says he can do late in the shot clock is get Aden open and get him a shot.
*** On the transfer newcomers gelling: "So far I think we have gone five-for-five in the transfer portal (KD, Wendell, Walker and Zep). Johni Broome was the only transfer last year.
*** Mentions that Addarin Scott will be a great player for the Tigers in the future, but he's behind Jaylin and Johni right now.
*** "I have been trying to put us through adversity by being a butthole in practice." - BP
*** BP says we won't be as good defending on the ball without Zep. Probably won't be able to put as much pressure on the ball. Might be switching more. They are bigger at the guard position now."
*** If there is one thing I think we need to approve on is toughness.
That's it for BP.
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