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Auburn Basketball: Missouri loss exposes why ’17-’18 a key year for Pearl

By Chris Roush

Feb 18, 2017; College Station, TX, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl on the sidelines against the Texas A&M Aggies during the second half at Reed Arena. Texas A&M won 81-62. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2017; College Station, TX, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl on the sidelines against the Texas A&M Aggies during the second half at Reed Arena. Texas A&M won 81-62. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /
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4. Develop some camaraderie

auburn basketball
Mar 8, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Auburn Tigers forward Danjel Purifoy (3) reacts after an overtime loss against the Missouri Tigers during the SEC Conference Tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Missouri won 86-83 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2016-17 Auburn Tigers basketball team did not look as if it trusted each other during critical moments. The returning players need to spend a lot of time together during the next seven months and learn to like each other.

They also need to learn where their teammates like the ball on the court and how to play with each other.

Yes, this was Auburn’s first winning season in eight years, and we should be happy with that. But the talent on this team often underperformed, and expectations are much higher.

Nothing less than 20-plus wins, a finish in the top four of the SEC, and an NCAA Tournament bid should be expected for 2017-18. The Tigers have the talent. They just need to find the desire and the tenacity.

Next: Auburn's Five Best/Worst First-Rounders

And that’s where coaching comes into play.

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