Bruce Pearl continues to turn heads in the college basketball world, and even after a wave of offseason departures, the Auburn Tigers are once again drawing serious preseason buzz. Following the program’s Final Four run, Pearl reshaped his roster with a mix of proven transfers and promising newcomers — and it’s already paying off in the eyes of analysts.
The hosts of The Next Round Live, Jim Dunaway and Lance Taylor, were quick to heap praise on Pearl’s work. With additions like Keyshawn Hall, Kevin Overton, Elyjah Freeman, and a key return in Tahaad Pettiford, Dunaway believes Auburn will be viewed as an Elite Eight-level team going into the 2025-26 season. He even sees Auburn ahead of rival Alabama in early projections.
Taylor echoed that sentiment, pointing to the consistency both Pearl and Alabama coach Nate Oats have shown. “Every single year, they have success,” Taylor said. “You just figure these guys know how to assemble a roster, and Auburn already had a solid core to build around.”
The Tigers may have lost talent to the NBA and graduation, but they’ve reloaded fast — and the energy on the Plains isn’t slowing down. With a strong recruiting pipeline and a coach who knows how to win in March, Auburn looks poised to stay near the top of the college hoops conversation.
Final Four to Elite Eight? Auburn Basketball’s Momentum Isn’t Slowing Down
