Bruce Pearl has never been known to mince words and he doesn’t plan to start now — especially when someone asks him about the caliber of big man that currently exists on Auburn’s roster.
“We’ll have as good of a front line as there is in college basketball,” Pearl said Monday on the College Hoops Today Podcast. “With Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler side-by-side and Dylan Cardwell and Jaylin Williams and Babatunde Akingbola — that’s five really good players up front.”
Kessler — a transfer from North Carolina — is projected to start for the Tigers at center while the 6-11 Smith — a five-star freshman — should be one of the top newcomers in the sport.
“He’s a pro,” Pearl said of Smith. “He works like a pro. He trains like a pro. He’s a five-star student and five-star athlete. He’s going to be a first-round pick next year.”
Auburn finished 13-14 last season, but was ranked first in this week’s SEC Offseason Breakdown. The Tigers are currently ranked 13th in the ROTHSTEIN 45.
To listen to the full interview with Pearl, click HERE.
Leftovers
- Florida, Miami finalizing agreement to meet this season in Jacksonville
- CBS Sports Podcast (6/16) — Minnesota’s Niko Medved
- Dayton, Florida State to begin home-and-home series
- Florida/TCU, Wisconsin/Providence to headline 2025 Rady Children’s Invitational
- Texas A&M, Florida State to start neutral site series in Tampa
