Way Too Early Starting Five for the 2016-2017 Auburn Basketball Season

The 2015-2016 season may have just ended a month ago, and recruiting is still in full swing, but with Auburn basketball keeping a lot of players who had significant playing time last year, I don’t think it’s too early to share some predictions on next season’s starting five.

As I mentioned in my spring recruiting update, Auburn only loses three scholarship seniors and has been fortunate to lose no scholarship players to transfer so far, and I don’t expect them to lose any more either. Cinmeon Bowers, Tyler Harris, and Jordon Granger all added value to the team and each started their fair share of games. However, another great recruiting class is on its way in, and Bruce Pearl will have plenty of pieces to play with next season.

By the end of next season I believe Auburn will have found a consistent starting five, but with so much young talent coming in, and the full roster not set yet, I can imagine there will be a few different lineups that Pearl will try throughout the non-conference schedule.

Before I begin, I’ll preface that this entire starting five is very, very early and is easily subject to change depending on what other commitments Auburn picks up either in the 2016 class or on the Junior College or transfer market. There can also always be surprising players in the summer that really impress the coaching staff more than most would have expected, like Bryce Brown last off-season.

With that in mind, here is who I think will take the floor for the tip of Auburn’s first game of the 2016-2017 season:

Point Guard: Jared Harper (Freshman)

This was an interesting thought process for me. First of all, I fully expect Harper to be starting by conference play as he has shown that he can be a true point guard, but also adds the ability to score when he needs to.

I think he’ll also get the start in the first game assuming Auburn doesn’t land the signature from another point guard via the transfer market. Auburn is after Ronnie Johnson, a graduate transfer from Houston, and has already had the 6-foot point guard on campus for a visit in early April. If Auburn lands a commitment from the former Cougar, he has the potential to get the starting job, but as of now, I see Harper starting from day one.

I would put Tahj Shamsid-Deen in the starting spot for yet another year, but if he is able to make it back from another shoulder surgery, I really don’t think he’ll be in a position to start over Harper, even with the advantage as a redshirt Junior.

Shooting Guard: Mustapha Heron (Freshman)

As the first 5-star in Auburn’s history, it shouldn’t come as a shock that Heron will likely start from day one. While I think there is a slight chance that T.J. Dunans could get a shot at starting because of his experience, it’s most likely going to be Heron on the floor first because of both his talent and scoring ability, but also the fact that several fans will attend Auburn’s first few games just to see the highly touted newcomer. I’m excited to see what Heron can do at Auburn, and almost equally excited for what Dunans and other quality guards can do coming off the bench.

Small Forward: Danjel Purifoy (Sophomore)

Yet another newcomer that hasn’t had the chance to take the floor for the Tigers (unfortunately). Like Heron this year, Danjel Purifoy was one of the higher touted players for Auburn last season. Then, on top of being projected as one of Auburn’s best overall players, the NCAA’s delay of a decision late into the season only made Auburn fans even more antsy for Purifoy’s debut.

Now, after an entire season of sitting out, Purifoy is primed for a fantastic debut, and more than likely it will be as a member of the starting five. Purifoy has the ability to play almost any position on the floor, and that in itself is a big reason I’m confident he’ll start. Even if Dunans, Lang, or another guard finds themselves in the starting lineup, Purifoy can easily be moved around to try different looks.

Power Forward: Horace Spencer (Sophomore)

Here’s where the little bit of controversy and uncertainty comes in. Currently, as Auburn’s 2016-2017 roster stands, I am almost positive that Spencer will be in the starting lineup, I just don’t know exactly what position he’ll play.

If Auburn doesn’t sign a transfer big man, or Auburn signs a big that is a clear-cut senior, then I think Spencer winds up as the four. Spencer improved greatly throughout last season, especially towards the end of the year, and I think that will carry over into the summer as well.

In a year or two, Spencer can potentially become one of the best bigs in the SEC, and certainly will be one of the best shot blockers. That climb to notoriety starts with coming out in the starting lineup in the first game of the 2016-2017 season.

Center: Trayvon Reed (Sophomore)

I know everyone is probably going to disagree with this prediction, and most people would probably be right. I’m making this pick based on two things.

One, as the roster stands right now, Reed is the only true five on Auburn’s roster. Spencer can play the five and probably play it well, but in and ideal world, I’d like to see Spencer stay at the power forward position for the Tigers.

Secondly, I think Reed has already improved a ton since Auburn fans last saw him play during the 2014-2015 season, and I think he’ll continue to develop his game over the summer.

You can’t teach 7-foot-2, and with a bunch of added weight and muscle, Reed won’t get pushed around down low. If he can work on a slight offensive game and learn to really protect the rim, a starting spot shouldn’t be an unattainable goal for the big guy.

This position also depends the most on what Auburn does during the rest of the recruiting period. Bigs have been the clear priority for Bruce Pearl and his staff, but as of now, the Tigers only have Anfernee McLemore’s signature. I think we’ll get at least one more big before it’s all said and done, but based on who we’re heavily involved with currently, I still think Reed has a good chance to be starting on day one.

That is certainly a talented starting five, but the players coming off the bench are almost as equally talented. That’s a starting lineup without T.J. Dunans, Bryce Brown, TJ Lang, Anfernee McLemore, and any of the other potentially talented players on Auburn’s roster. The roster for next season will be even more talented than last year’s, and assuming they are able to stay healthy for the most part, Auburn can expect some good games.

There’s a lot of recruiting, working out, and practicing before Auburn can even think about tipping off next season, but for now, this is how I see it playing out. I for one am looking forward to seeing this starting five, or whatever Bruce Pearl comes up with, to take the floor.