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Auburn Tigers News: Basketball non-conference schedule, Malik Blocton reacts to first game

In today's edition of Auburn Tigers News, Auburn basketball releases the full non-conference schedule and freshman DL Malik Blocton reacts to his orange and blue debut.

By Mary Kate Hughes

Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl celebrates during the second half of the SEC tournament championship game against Florida at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, March 17, 2024.
Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl celebrates during the second half of the SEC tournament championship game against Florida at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, March 17, 2024. / Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK
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In today's edition of Auburn Tigers News, Auburn basketball releases the full non-conference schedule and freshman DL Malik Blocton reacts to his orange and blue debut

Auburn basketball head coach Bruce Pearl has been hard at work this offseason and he's put together a formidable non-conference schedule for the 2024-25 Tigers. Several of the headliners have been released, including the Maui Invitational slate and matchups against Purdue, Houston, and Duke.

Earlier this week, the full Auburn basketball schedule became locked in, and it's one of the most impressive non-conference schedules in the league this year.

"This is by far the toughest schedule in Auburn basketball history and probably in my 29 years of being a head coach," Bruce Pearl said, per Auburn Undercover. "Part of scheduling is who wants or is willing to play you. Our success over the last eight seasons has really enabled us to be an attractive opponent to some of the best teams in the country. We are liable to see six or seven teams in the non-conference that could play in this year's NCAA Final Four. It sends a statement to our players that I believe in them, and in the world of college basketball, we want to be a perennial top 25 program. More than anybody, I am happy for our student-athletes that they get to play the very best in college basketball."

Auburn basketball's official non-conference schedule is below:

  •  Nov. 6 vs. Vermont
  • Nov. 9 vs. Houston
  • Nov. 13 vs. Kent State
  • Nov. 18 vs. UNA
  • Nov. 25-27 Maui Invitational (Iowa St. followed by the winner of Dayton vs. UNC and then UConn, Memphis, Michigan State, or Colorado)
  • Dec. 4 vs. Duke
  • Dec. 8 vs. Richmond
  • Dec. 14 vs. Ohio State
  • Dec. 17 vs. Georgia State
  • Dec. 21 vs. Purdue
  • Dec. 30 vs. Monmouth

Malik Blocton reacts to his orange and blue debut

Defensive lineman Malik Blocton has been committed to Auburn football for a long time. The Opelika native committed to the Tigers' recruiting class of 2024 in the summer of 2023, and he stuck with it until pen met paper. It all came to fruition on Saturday when Blocton made his debut in Jordan-Hare Stadium.

"It was just like a dream come true," Blocton said, per Auburn Undercover. "I've been around Auburn for a long time, been recruited by Auburn. And just getting my first snap out there and playing my first game out there, it was like a dream come true."

Blocton quickly became a playmaker for the Tigers in the season opener last Saturday, and credits all of his offseason work with the team for his abilities. Auburn football returns to action in Jordan-Hare Stadium this week to host the Cal Golden Bears.

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