Auburn out to parlay NIT title into momentum as it faces SE Louisiana

Auburn enters its second season under coach Steven Pearl looking to build on an NIT championship and return to the NCAA Tournament.

The Tigers open the new season Wednesday night when they host Southeastern Louisiana.

Auburn finished 22-16 last season, missing the NCAA Tournament to snap a run of four consecutive appearances, but the Tigers closed the campaign with their first NIT championship.

Guards Tahaad Pettiford and Kevin Overton return after combining to average nearly 30 points per game last season. Pettiford led Auburn with 145 assists, while Overton shot 41.3% from 3-point range.

The duo gives Pearl an experienced foundation as he integrates a rebuilt roster featuring 7-footers Bukky Oboye and Narcisse Ngoy.

"Excited about both those guys coming back and being able to build this around them," Pearl said at SEC Tipoff on Oct. 13.

Overton offered an early glimpse of his scoring ability in Auburn's 87-85 exhibition loss to Alabama on Oct. 22, finishing with 26 points and six 3-pointers.

The Tigers outrebounded Alabama 51-42 despite foul trouble that saw Oboye and Pettiford foul out in the second half.

Auburn was picked 10th in the SEC preseason media poll, a prediction Pettiford said provides motivation.

"It definitely gives us a chip, being ranked there," Pettiford said. "After last year I knew that was going to happen, but we have a lot to prove."

Southeastern Louisiana also enters the season with a retooled roster under eighth-year coach David Kiefer.

The Lions begin an eight-game stretch away from home that includes three SEC opponents in their first four contests. After Auburn, Southeastern Louisiana will visit Ole Miss and Texas A&M.

Kiefer added several transfers during the offseason, including former Bryant players Ashley Sims II, Gio Sanford and Quincy Allen.

Sims averaged 7.2 points and 5.0 rebounds last season, while Allen averaged 9.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks.

"Ashley is an incredibly skilled player with a high IQ and a natural ability to put the ball in the basket," Kiefer said when announcing the signing class in June.

The Lions hope their newcomers can help them navigate a demanding nonconference schedule before beginning Southland Conference play.

--Field Level Media