Auburn coach Bruce Pearl has talked about the intensity of this season’s team compared to last year.
Think of it as a luxury.
That intensity came for Auburn on Thanksgiving when the Tigers escaped the Suncoast Credit Union Arena with a 96-91 win over the Hawks of St. Joseph’s in overtime. Eight Tigers scored seven or more points, led by Jaylin Williams with 18 points, while Justin Powell added 17.
“If you think, you know, Auburn outside the SEC and St. Joseph outside the Atlantic 10 and you look at the groups we had last year, I can also sense why you might have walked away because you were disappointed with the “The Way We Play,” Pearl said. “If you’ve paid attention to our training, we’ve noticed a lot of changes. It was our first exhibition. It was our first scrum. It was our first game. When we had merits about St. Joe’s – We were taller, we were longer. St. Joe must pass small and disperse and shoot us, which clearly damages them by the symptoms of which we take credit. “
Auburn Sharife Cooper’s escort didn’t make it to Fort Myers with the team. The freshman is still waiting for the effects of an NCAA investigation into his or her eligibility. Cooper hopes to play at Auburn this season, however, he and his team have begun exploring possible features. play abroad in case you do not consider yourself eligible.
Both fired about 43% in this contest, with the Hawks making 32 of 74 shots and the Tigers 29 of 68 shots. Auburn had 43 attempts on the loose firing line and sank 29. Joseph’s hit 15 of 23 shots on the loose.
In addition to the 8 players who finished the night with seven or more numbers, five finished the night with double digits. Pearl loves the fact that it can be any day.
“Our intensity gives us the chance to fight,” Pearl added in a text after the victory. “We want to exhaust other people with our efforts and energy. It also creates a smart wardrobe with smart chemistry. “
In the loss to St. Joe, the players ended the night with a double-digit total of problems. Taylor Funk had 28 issues, the game was high, Ryan Daly added 18, Jack Forrest 15, and Dahmir Bishop and Greg Foster Jr. had 14 and 11 issues, respectively.
Lange is very grateful to have been able to play with the coach and his team, while many Division I systems have been shut down lately due to positive coronavirus tests, with many players quarantined for at least two weeks.
“First of all, it’s an honor to play, ” said Lange. ” Being here with the opportunity to set up Hawk Hill and everything that’s been done to bring us here is the first thing that comes to mind. I can’t say enough about the leadership of our university, our President Mark Reed, our Athletics Director Jill Bodensteiner, and the courage, prudence and compliance they have shown in their leadership to give us the chance to generate hope and compete for our university. “
Auburn, with just over 12 hours off, will have a date opposite Gonzaga No. 2 at 11 a. m. ET, while St. Joseph’s will face Kansas No. 5 at 2 pm. ET.
Follow News-Press sports editor and Naples Daily News sports editor Alex Martin on Twitter: NP_AlexMartin. For sports policy in southwest Florida, follow the @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.