ESPN analyst Dick Vitale certainly thought congratulations were in order for Auburn basketball and their head coach Bruce Pearl after securing the commitment of Walker Kessler earlier this week. Despite a tough 2020-21 season, the Tigers have been hot in the offseason, snapping up two 2021 signees and three transfers from the NCAA portal.
Though it was back and forth for a while, and in the end, UNC fans were positive that the freshman would be returning to Chapel Hill, Kessler ultimately decided to trade the Tar Heels for the Tigers. The 7-footer becomes the second-highest ranked recruit in Auburn basketball history behind Jabari Smith who will also join the Tigers next season.
Vitale went even further, saying that Alabama and Auburn basketball is quickly becoming like Alabama and Auburn football, and while that may be a bit of a stretch to some it is incredible how far both programs have come over the last few years.
Big news @AuburnMBB as @coachbrucepearl scores a transfer bonanza in getting 7’ UNC transfer WALKER KESSLER. Hey Auburn and Alabama basketball are now becoming like the Tigers vs Bama in football @SEC
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) April 12, 2021
No one is disputing the fact that the Tigers had a rough season, but Bruce Pearl has the team on track to do big things in the upcoming season. Although this year Auburn struggled with a self-imposed post-season ban, eligibility issues, injuries, and transfers, that doesn’t change the fact that in the past few years Auburn basketball has been SEC champions, SEC Tournament champions, and Final Four participants.
It’s tough to look past the glaring issues of last season, but it’s also tough not to look at what kind of talent is coming to the Plains in 2021 with the transfer additions and signees including 5-star Jabari Smith.
Meanwhile, across the state, Nate Oats has brought the Alabama basketball program to relevance, and although they will lose Herb Jones, John Petty, and Alex Reese, Oats is quickly reloading the Crimson Tide’s roster with two transfers that were also Auburn targets as well as a strong 2021 recruiting class.
It seems that the Alabama and Auburn basketball programs will both be fun to watch in the coming season, and both will be strong and competitive after a mostly one-sided rivalry this year.