Jared Harper
FILE - In this Feb. 4, 2020, file photo, Auburn coach Bruce Pearl talks to players during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark. Pearl has another rebuilding job of sorts at Auburn, but this time he starts out with a better foundation and assemblage of talent. The Tigers must replace virtually all their key players, including possible NBA lottery pick Isaac Okoro, after the best three-year run in program history. (AP Photo/Michael Woods, File)
Auburn tries to sustain success with Pearl's youngest team

By John Zenor Nov. 11, 2020 09:52 AM EST
Bruce Pearl has another rebuilding job of sorts at Auburn as the Tigers must

Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl scratches his head during a timeout in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against LSU, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Julie Bennett)
No. 11 Auburn showing penchant for improbable wins

By John Zenor Feb. 11, 2020 05:26 PM EST
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — The Auburn Tigers were down eight points against LSU with

Auburn forward Anfernee McLemore (24) celebrates a 3-point basket against Iowa State during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Julie Bennett)
Doughty, Okoro lead No. 16 Auburn past Iowa State 80-76

By Sumner Martin Jan. 25, 2020 02:50 PM EST
True freshman Isaac Okoro has a quiet confidence about him.

Auburn guard Samir Doughty celebrates a foul call against Vanderbilt during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Julie Bennett)
Auburn exceeds expectations as one of last unbeaten teams

By John Zenor Jan. 14, 2020 05:40 PM EST
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — The Auburn Tigers haven't missed a step — or lost a game —

Gonzaga guard Joel Ayayi (11) gestures after scoring a 3-pointer during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Pepperdine in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020. Gonzaga won 75-70. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Undefeated Auburn, San Diego St rise in Top 25; Butler No. 6

By John Marshall Jan. 06, 2020 12:05 PM EST
San Diego State survived a big test by beating a talented Utah State team on

Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl reacts to a foul call during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Georgia Southern Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Julie Bennett)
Doughty, No. 24 Auburn top Georgia Southern 83-74 in opener

By John Zenor Nov. 05, 2019 11:25 PM EST
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — The Auburn Tigers debuted their new look, minus the stars

Auburn's Anfernee McLemore speaks during the Southeastern Conference NCAA college basketball media day, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Pearl, revamped Auburn team trying to sustain success

By John Zenor Oct. 24, 2019 01:05 PM EDT
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — The Auburn Tigers will rely on a new cast of leading men

Kentucky head coach John Calipari speaks during the Southeastern Conference NCAA college basketball media day, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
New SEC faces get opportunity after offseason talent drain

By Steve Megargee Oct. 16, 2019 05:00 AM EDT
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — There will be plenty of new faces with an opportunity to make

FILE - In this Feb. 16, 2019, file photo, Louisville forward Jordan Nwora (33) attempts to drive past the defense of Clemson forward Elijah Thomas (14) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Louisville, Ky. The return of forwards Jordan Nwora and Steven Enoch could make the Cardinals a top-10 team heading into next season. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File)
Winners and losers of the NBA's draft withdrawal deadline

By John Marshall May. 30, 2019 04:18 PM EDT
Zion Williamson, Ja Morant and RJ Barrett all remained in the NBA draft through the

Virginia players celebrate after the championship game against Texas Tech in the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Minneapolis. Virginia won 85-77 in overtime. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Way-too-early poll for the 2019-20 college hoops season

By John Marshall Apr. 09, 2019 10:10 AM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Virginia pulled off one of the great redemption stories in NCAA

Virginia players celebrate in front of Auburn forward Danjel Purifoy (3) after a semifinal round game in the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, April 6, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Guy sinks FTs on disputed foul, Virginia shocks Auburn 63-62

By Ralph D. Russo Apr. 06, 2019 08:30 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Hard to call Virginia basketball boring after the last two games.

Texas Tech's Davide Moretti (25) warms up during a practice session for the semifinals of the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, April 5, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Things to know for the NCAA Tournament's Final Four

By John Marshall Apr. 06, 2019 02:22 AM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Following an epic Elite Eight and a week of buildup, the Final

The Connecticut band performs during the first half of the team's Final Four semifinal against Notre Dame in the NCAA women’s college basketball Friday, April 5, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Final Four - Game 2 (win) at Final Four - Game 1 (win) 4/7/2019

Apr. 05, 2019 09:56 PM EDT

Virginia head coach Tony Bennett passes the ball during a practice session for the semifinals of the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, April 5, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt York)
NCAA Latest: Tech will be rolling with Mahomes

By The Associated Press Apr. 05, 2019 12:18 PM EDT
The Latest on the Final Four (all times local): 4:15 p.m.

Auburn's Samir Doughty (10), Myles Parker (20) and Horace Spencer (0) get a ride after a practice session for the semifinals of the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Thursday, April 4, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Been there, done that: Experienced teams fill the Final Four

By John Marshall Apr. 04, 2019 04:00 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Zion Williamson is not here. Neither is R.J. Barrett or the rest

Auburn's Bryce Brown (2) celebrates during the second half of the Midwest Regional final game against Kentucky in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament Sunday, March 31, 2019, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
A guide to the teams, players and coaches at the Final Four

By John Marshall Apr. 04, 2019 03:25 AM EDT
The NCAA Tournament needed a little time to warm up. There were a few

Auburn's Jared Harper, left, drives to the basket past Kentucky's Reid Travis during the first half of the Midwest Regional final game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament Sunday, March 31, 2019, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Undersized Jared Harper point man in Auburn's Final Four run

By John Zenor Apr. 03, 2019 02:50 PM EDT
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Jared Harper might just epitomize this Auburn basketball team:

Virginia head coach Tony Bennett celebrates after defeating Purdue 80-75 in overtime of the men's NCAA Tournament college basketball South Regional final game, Saturday, March 30, 2019, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Final Four field boasts tough defenses, veteran lineups

By Aaron Beard Apr. 01, 2019 03:19 AM EDT
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Final Four features tough defenses, a surging team that hasn

Kentucky's PJ Washington dunks the ball during the second half of the Midwest Regional final game against Auburn in the NCAA men's College basketball tournament Sunday, March 31, 2019, in Kansas City, Mo. Auburn won 77-71 in overtime. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kentucky's Washington plays through pain in loss to Auburn

By Eric Olson Mar. 31, 2019 07:15 PM EDT
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — PJ Washington got more out of himself and his sore left foot

Auburn's Horace Spencer (0) dunks over Kentucky's Reid Travis (22) during the first half of the Midwest Regional final game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament Sunday, March 31, 2019, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Auburn tops Kentucky 77-71 in OT for first Final Four trip

By Dave Skretta Mar. 31, 2019 05:06 PM EDT
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The confetti was still swirling around Auburn coach Bruce