Coach Bruce Pearl could have his best team in 11 years. He brings his 11th-ranked squad into the Toyota Center late Saturday night to face the #4 Houston Cougars. It’s early, but according to KenPom, the Cougars and Tigers are number one and two in the country.

Auburn is stacked: they return several key players and add a couple of highly coveted transfers and some top-notch freshmen. This is possibly the best outside shooting team that Pearl has had at Auburn, but the same could be said for Coach Sampson and his Coogs. Both teams are serious National Championship contenders. The Toyota Center should be electric on Saturday for the best game in the country.

(Note: The scouting report was done before the “catfight” on the Auburn team flight to Houston. Auburn has not released any information about players or suspensions.)

Head of the Snake

Senior big man Johni Broome is my “Head of the Snake” for Auburn. He is a versatile forward who can play inside and LOVES stepping out and shooting the three. He is an outstanding rebounder on both ends. He is a great shot blocker and plays with a chip on his shoulder. It was down to the Tigers and the Cougars when he was in the transfer portal from Morehead State, and he ultimately chose to attend Auburn.

I think he will try to play outside more against the Houston big men and be creative with his shots. He’s not a driving threat when behind the arc, so I would play him tight and force him to make a tough three-pointer over the length of the Cougar big men.

Quickies: Broome was the 2024 SEC Tournament Most Valuable Player and has 60 career double-doubles. In the 2023 NCAA game against Houston, he shot 16 free throws.

Auburn Offense

• They have 6 guys that can REALLY shoot the ball and 2 to 3 others capable of making the three. They were 16/35 from beyond the arc against Vermont Wednesday night.
• They like to play inside/out. They like to throw it inside to Broome, Cardwell, and Johnson and look for them to make a move. If nothing is there, they will pass out to open shooters.
• They have several guys that can make TOUGH shots.
• Furman transfer JP Pegues does a good job of driving and kicking to open shooters.
• They like to isolate mismatches on one side of the court, clear out, and let them go to work.

Auburn Defense

• They like to fullcourt press after making FTs and FGs. They are more aggressive after a made FT. They will back off following a couple of passes after a made FG (it’s tougher to get organized on defense after a made FG).
• They primarily play man-to-man, but may try to run some 1-3-1 zone.
• Cougar guards should look to attack the paint. Auburn often “over-helps,” which should lead to lobs to the big men and kick-outs to open shooters.
• If you are patient on offense and have great ball movement (especially paint touches and kick-outs), you can get GREAT looks vs Auburn.

Auburn Personnel (* Indicates Probable Starters)

*#4 Johni Broome – 6’10” SR. – Forward/Center (Morehead State)

• Lefthanded;
• Third-Team All-American forward/center last season;
• Can play on either block;
• Loves to step out and shoot the three and sometimes settles for a bad 3-point attempt. Not looking to drive from outside. Make him take tough shots over UH’s length;
• Excellent rebounder on both ends; Solid shot blocker.

*#10 Chad Baker-Mazara – 6’7″ SR. – Guard/Forward (Northwest Florida State)

• Lefthanded;
• Long/thin/athletic forward;
• Big energy guy. Likes to get under his opponents’ skin;
• Can really shoot the three and can make TOUGH shots;
• Solid in the pick and roll.

*#1 JP Pegues – 6’2″ SR. – Guard- (Furman)

• Really smooth point guard. Athletic/play-maker;
• One of the top guards from the transfer portal;
• Good three-point shooter;
• Likes to get in the paint to score or create shots for his teammates – had 76 assists on three-pointers last year at Furman.

*#2 Denver Jones – 6’4″ SR. – Guard (Florida International)

• Athletic scoring guard; Three-level scorer;
• Solid three-point shooter; Can shoot from DEEP.

*#44 Dylan Cardwell – 6’11” GR SR – Center

• BIG body center;
• Huge energy guy and Auburn fan favorite;
• Great rebounder on both ends;
• Solid shot blocker;
• Capable scorer around the basket; Best off of an offensive rebound and put-back;
• May shoot the three…that’s a risk I’m willing to take (89% of shots last season came at the rim).

#13 Miles Kelly – 6’6″ SR. – Guard (Georgia Tech)

• Tall shooting guard; Looking to bring instant offense when entering the game;
• Outstanding three-point shooter. Can make it from DEEP;
• Can make TOUGH outside shots (step backs, on the move, etc.)
• Made seven 3s vs. Vermont Wednesday night in 18 minutes.

#31 Chaney Johnson – 6’7″ SR. – Forward- (Alabama-Huntsville)

• Big body forward;
• Really good inside and right outside of the paint; REALLY patient and crafty around the basket;
• More than capable outside shooter.

#0 Tahaad Pettiford – 6’1″- FR. – Guard

• Lefty;
• Smaller super shifty/quick back-up point guard;
• Top 40 true freshman and McDonald’s All-American;
• Can “shake and bake” – don’t end up on his highlight tape!

#3 Jahki Howard – 6’6″ FR. – Forward

• Aggressive/athletic forward;
• EXTREMELY ATHLETIC;
• Crashes the boards hard;
• Wants to get to the basket on offense;
• Overplays passing lanes to get a steal and dunk;
• Makes some freshman mistakes (take advantage of them).

#8 Ja’Heim Hudson – 6’7″ SR. – Forward (SMU)

• Big body forward;
• Solid in the paint, when he has a mismatch;
• Capable three-point shooter.

#5 Chris Moore – 6’6″ GR SR. – Forward

• Not playing as many minutes as he has in the past;
• Solid defender and rebounder;
• Capable three-point shooter.

Keys to Victory

1. Auburn has a ton of shooters, so the Cougars have to run them off the three-point line. UH can’t allow them to take open shots. Last year (early in the season), the UH did not recover well when blitzing the pick and rolls, leading to open 3-point attempts. Auburn can make you pay.
2. Basketball is a game of runs. Don’t allow “kill shots” (10-0 runs). Who will knock down the big shot to stop their run? They are a BIG ENERGY team. Can’t let them get confident.
3. Don’t let Broome (Head of the Snake) get comfortable. He is an All-American for a reason. Make him take tough shots over the elite length of the UH big men. UH blocked two of his four misses in the NCAA Tournament in 2023.
4. Control the boards on both ends of the courts. Auburn is massive inside with Broome and Caldwell. It will be crucial for the Coog bigs to get offensive rebounds and create extra opportunities. Also, ensuring the Tigers are one and done on the other end will be very important. Can’t give them more than one shot on offense.
5. Toughest team wins! Houston is the toughest team in America, but the Tigers are also very tough. Who will win the battles for the loose ball? Who will take the most charges? Who will grab the big rebounds down the stretch? Got to be the Coogs to win this one!