Quotes of Note: Bruce Pearl, players talk Auburn basketball vs. Vermont

Auburn basketball head coach Bruce Pearl and players share thoughts on the Tigers' season opener

Auburn basketball fans were treated to a preview last Friday when the Tigers defeated Florida Atlantic in an exhibition game in Neville Arena, but the season officially starts tonight. Bruce Pearl and his Tigers will welcome the Vermont Catamounts to the Plains.

Earlier this week, Pearl described Vermont as a "very Yale-like" team and noted that the Catamounts won't be easy to beat. Here's what else Pearl and some of his players had to say about the matchup.

C Johni Broome on fouls, per Auburn Undercover:

"We pride ourselves on our defense. But, one thing we need to do a better job — and we'll learn from the exhibitions — is the fouls. (FAU) shot too many free throws. I don't know how many they shot, probably 30 or 40. Furman shot a lot of free throws as well. You know, as we get ready for Vermont, I feel like we need to work on our defense and guard without fouling."

Bruce Pearl on the Catamounts, per Auburn Rivals:

“They'll run really good offensive stuff; hard-to-guard stuff. Got a dominating point guard in Bogues. Their bigs are under-sized, but are physical. They're almost physical to a fault. And they've got a couple of dead-eye shooters kind of, again, like Yale had. So, it'll be a real scrappy team.”

Bruce Pearl on whether or not Johni Broome and Dylan Cardwell could start together, per Auburn Undercover:

"We'll keep evaluating it. I would imagine there is some games they will. I would say this: we've always had a very consistent starting lineup. It wouldn't surprise me at all if I varied up a little bit."

Auburn basketball opens its season against the Vermont Catamounts at home in Neville Arena tonight at 7:00 p.m.