Auburn Basketball: What Consecutive SEC Losses Means for Tigers

By Ty Roush | Jan 6, 2017

Dec 29, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers guard Jared Harper (1) breaks away against Georgia Bulldogs guard J.J. Frazier (30) during the first half at Auburn Arena. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

Here we take a look at the future of the 2016-17 Auburn basketball season following consecutive losses to Georgia and Vanderbilt.

Had this been the start of 2016, those victories against Connecticut and Oklahoma would have catapulted this Auburn basketball team into the top 25 and into national recognition. Yet, as those two prominent teams continue to struggle following fairly productive seasons, they’re just simple tallies to drag onto the win column.

Now, as conferences begin play, it is time for this Auburn season to matter.

On this day last year, Auburn fell to a No. 22 South Carolina team 81-69 to bring their record to 7-6 with losses to No. 10 Xavier and an always impressive Harvard.

More from Auburn Basketball

Today, Auburn is 10-4 and, despite what their record shows, has yet to have a win to boost their growing portfolio.

Starting off 0-2 in the SEC, Auburn’s cue to stand up and take over the competition is high in demand – with little evidence of a breakout nearing. In fairness, freshmen Danjel Purifoy, Jared Harper and Mustapha Heron have taken over this team – in everything.

Harper has become the point guard of the future for the Tigers, third in scoring averaging 13 points, 3.2 assists and a pair of rebounds at 2.4 a game. His length has proven to be key for getting to the basket, allowing him to reach around longer defenders and dish out assists with some flair.

Purifoy is second in scoring, at 14.2 a game, with Heron leading the charge at 15.9 alongside 6.4 rebounds per game. Heron’s ability to drive to the rim, his poise to stop on a dime and pull for a mid-range jumper has showcased for some beautiful play, even leading the Tigers to 10 wins.

Certainly the ability to score has not been the issue, with faulty defense and an ease to turn the ball over chasing the Tigers into dangerous territory in the SEC. Georgia has always been an iffy matchup, with Vanderbilt remaining the sleeper for several years – their bigs and small guards becoming the peskiest of pests. Auburn’s 19-point loss to the Commodores, while almost identical to the 18-point loss a year prior, is more than just another routine loss.

Heron has yet to take opportunity of using his talents on more difficult competition, allowing for his youth and inexperience to bring his flaws into light. Harper, though just as young and seemingly just as talented, has been the light at the end of the tunnel when he simply shouldn’t be. It is always a good sign of things to come with freshmen such as these, but the SEC – or what is left when Kentucky is left out of the picture – is theirs for the taking.

Ole Miss this Saturday, as well as Missouri on Tuesday, is perfect timing for this team to take charge. It is hoped that Georgia and Vanderbilt are just stepping stones of learning for these Tigers to take larger leaps, with a greater splash in mind.

Next: Looking Backwards to that Sugar Bowl

This team appears finicky, flashing how good they might be while continually showing how great they could become. Bruce Pearl has it all in his holsters, he just has to pull.

Home/Auburn Basketball