There was not a lot expected of the Auburn Tigers basketball team heading into the season. They were picked to finish ninth in the conference, and no one thought their 15 year NCAA tournament drought would end. As it stands now, Auburn is atop the SEC standings at 24-4 overall and 12-3 in league play. The undersized Tigers are led by their explosive trio of guards with Bryce Brown, Mustapha Heron and Jared Harper. Each of these players brings something different to the court, and they have found a great balance between them.
Auburn Tigers Excelling Behind Trio of Guards
The Shooter
Brown was not highly regarded coming out of high school in Georgia. The Tigers were his only offer from a power five conference school. He has had his share of ups and downs in his first few years on the plains, but as a junior he has emerged as an All-SEC performer and possible Player of the Year candidate. Brown is averaging 16.4 points per game this season while shooting 40% from beyond the arc. His quickness and ball handling allow him to create his own shot. Brown has developed the step back jumper as a go-to move. The 6’3” junior can catch fire at any moment, as evident by his 25-point second half in a win over Georgia in January. He has eight 20 point games this season and has reached double figures in all but four contests.
The Five Star
Heron came to the Auburn Tigers as one the highest rated recruits in the school’s history. The 6’5” guard has not disappointed. After averaging 15.2 points a night as a freshman, he has raised his level of play in his second season. Heron can score in a multitude of ways. He is solid from three point range, but excels at getting to the basket and scoring in the paint. His athleticism and the Tigers fast pace also lead to him scoring lots of buckets in transition. The sophomore wing is 80% from the free throw line, so when he does drive and draw contact he can still remain effective. Heron is second on the team with 16.1 points a night and has six 20 point games. Much like Brown he has been as consistent as he has been explosive, failing to reach double figures in only three contests. Heron also grabs six rebounds a night, lending a hand to Auburn’s under sized front court.
The Engine
While Brown and Heron’s scoring outbursts get most of the attention, it is point guard Harper that makes this team go. The 5’10” sophomore is averaging 13.8 points and 5.8 assists per game. He had a 14 assist performance in a win over Vanderbilt at the beginning of the month. Harper is a blur with the ball, always looking to push the tempo and get his high scoring wings good looks early in the shot clock. Harper is also a tenacious defender, hounding opposing guards and grabbing 1.3 steals a night. His ability to push the ball is not only due to his speed, but also his vision. Often he gets an outlet or in-bounds pass and is immediately looking up court for options. This can create fast break opportunities even when opponents score against the Tigers. Harper is shooting 40% from deep, making him a tough cover. Teams have to respect both his ability to make shots and beat them off the dribble and collapse their defense.
Frontcourt in Flux
The Auburn Tigers’ front court took a hit before the season even started when Austin Wiley and Danjel Purifoy were ruled ineligible. They took another hit last Saturday when leading shot blocker Anfernee McLemore suffered a season ending leg injury. Now Coach Bruce Pearl has to operate with a front court by committee approach. DeSean Murray, Chuma Okeke and Horace Spencer are left to man the paint. Murray is undersized but still effective, pouring in 10.7 points and 7.1 rebounds a night. Okeke is a highly rated freshman who has begun to pick up his play. He is averaging 13.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in his last two games, and has 14 double figure scoring games on the year. Spencer is the first big man off the bench now and will need to provide solid minutes for Coach Pearl’s team.
Dance Fever
The Auburn Tigers last played in the NCAA tournament in the 2002-03 season. They last won the SEC title in 1999. This team is now on the verge of breaking both of those droughts. The SEC is a much improved conference this season, and no team embodies that as much as these Tigers. One of the most common themes in college basketball is that guard play matters in March. Auburn is led by a talented trio whose skills complement each other. This team likes to get up and down the court and score points in bunches. The Tigers also pride themselves, as most Coach Pearl teams do, on being relentless and in your face on the defensive end. Despite the personnel losses on the front court, this team is still primed for a big run in March. With three explosive guards like, Brown, Heron and Harper, it should be an entertaining run to watch.
Main Photo
