For almost two months last season, Auburn sat atop the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, running through the SEC for the regular season title and earning the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.
After a complete turnover of the roster, with Tahaad Pettiford being the only key returnee, and the retirement of Bruce Pearl after 11 seasons, there are some question marks surrounding the Tigers this season.
That doesn't mean Auburn will let go of that title easily. In a wide-open SEC, the Tigers have a chance to compete for a championship again in Steven Pearl's first season as head coach.
The voters for the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll believe in the Tigers, ranking Auburn at No. 22 in the preseason. Pearl's squad is joined by fellow SEC members Florida (No.3), Kentucky (9), Arkansas (15), Alabama (16) and Tennessee (17) in the poll released on Wednesday.