Auburn basketball: Projecting Bruce Pearl’s 2021-22 Starting 5

Yesterday was a day to remember for Auburn basketball. First, the Tigers were able to retain Allen Flanigan, who announced he was returning for his junior season instead of taking a chance in the NBA Draft. Then, Arkansas transfer Desi Sills announced that he’d be making his way to the Plains this fall as well.

Combine these announcements with the transfer portal wins of Walker Kessler, Wendell Green Jr., and Zep Jasper, and you have one hell of an offseason for Bruce Pearl and co. after a down-year in 2020-21.

The Jungle has grown accustomed to winning basketball, having reached the Final Four in 2019 and bringing momentum to the 2020 SEC Tournament before it was canceled altogether when the world stood still last March.

This past season was trying for so many reasons, including the economic hit the school and surrounding businesses took from the lack of big crowds at the Auburn Arena. 2021-22 promises to bring more light in the wake of the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic not only due to the return of fans, but also because of a vastly improved on-court product.

Pearl is losing several studs to the NBA–including starting point guard Sharife Cooper and fellow 5-star recruit JT Thor (who does have the option of returning if he isn’t drafted/signed)–but he is bringing in an experienced group that brings plenty of achievement and talent to the Plains in an all-important comeback year for the program.

With all of this excitement and momentum in mind, let’s project what the starting five and second unit might look like for Auburn basketball: