4 questions for Auburn as offseason begins

[aubiefifty 18,113]

 

247sports.com

 

4 questions for Auburn basketball as offseason begins early

Nathan King

11–14 minutes

---

Bruce Pearl and his staff didn’t think they’d have to face their offseason checklist so soon. But on a somber, 2,300-mile flight back home, the Tigers abruptly turned the page from their highly successful 2023-24 campaign — one that featured major success for the program in Year 1o under Pearl, but ended with a bitter taste.

Auburn made a quick and surprising exit in this year’s NCAA Tournament, falling 78-76 to No. 13 seed Yale in Spokane, Washington. It’s the program’s worst loss, seeding-wise, in its tournament history, as the Tigers had never lost a first-round game in March Madness since the tournament expanded to 64 teams. 

A squad oozing with depth played elite defense all season and seemed to be hitting its stride at the right time, having won six straight games heading into the tournament, including a run to an SEC Tournament title in Nashville. The Tigers scored 87.1 points over their last 10 games entering the tournament. 

Just a few key minutes against Yale was all it took to drive the dagger into Auburn’s season, though, as the Tigers admitted Chad Baker-Mazara’s ejection sucked wind from their sails after they appeared in control early in the game, then they let a 10-point lead crumble in the second half, missing five of their last seven free throws and committing six turnovers in the last seven minutes of the game. Coupled with shotmaking from an upset-minded Yale team and John Poulakidas’ six 3-pointers, and a team viewed as one of the most dangerous in the tournament was suddenly bounced. 

The Tigers should certainly celebrate their accomplishments: the fourth overall SEC title under Pearl, 27 wins, All-American honors for Johni Broome, and an All-SEC campaign for the winningest player in program history, Jaylin Williams. 

They’ll raise a banner in November, but for now, there’s no time to waste for Pearl and his staff. Multiple players — namely Broome — are on the clock for stay-or-go decisions, whether to the NBA draft or those with the opportunity to exercise an additional year of eligibility. That’s not to mention the looming presence of the transfer portal, which opened last Monday and already features a number of intriguing players for programs to prod.

Auburn will feel a massive weight of disappointment that it has to watch the rest of the tournament at home, but that Pearl will be as busy as ever in the coming weeks. 

Here are four questions — and potential decisions to monitor — in the early stages of Auburn basketball’s offseason.

1. WHAT WILL BROOME DO?

(Steph Chambers, Getty)

Undoubtedly the biggest domino that needs to fall for Auburn’s offseason roadmap — one way or the other — is Broome, who could take his All-American season, say thank you for a great two years with the Tigers, and head to the pros.

Or Broome could come back and be one of the best returning big men in college basketball in 2024-25. Having just wrapped up his fourth college season, Broome has one year of eligibility remaining after participating in the COVID-19 season while at Morehead State. 

Auburn will make its pitch loud and clear, both from an NIL perspective, and in keeping Broome in the driver’s seat as the dominant force and focal point of the Tigers’ approach, just as he was this season. 

But for Broome, is there much left to accomplish on the college level? The 6-foot-10 center was already a fringe NBA draft pick last year after a stellar combine and draft process, then he proceeded to improve upon almost every aspect of his game this season, including 3-point shooting, free-throw shooting and passing. 

There are immense pros to both decisions for Broome, but for Auburn, of course, his departure would leave a gaping hole, without the team’s best player, go-to interior scorer and elite defender.

If Broome goes, there’s little doubt Pearl will make a massive push for the biggest names in the transfer portal at the center position. For that reason, Pearl and his staff will look to get a decision from Broome as soon as possible to organize their transfer board and begin targeting the best big men available. They’ve already done so with Rutgers transfer Cliff Omoruyi, who was a major Auburn target a few years ago out of high school.

Auburn will have quite the impressive pitch at its disposal to transfer centers, considering its last two transfer pickups at the position became All-Americans with the Tigers.

2. WHO WILL TAKE A FIFTH YEAR?

Auburn’s experience level as a team in 2024-25 will hinge upon the decisions from three fourth-year seniors who each have an additional year of eligibility available: center Dylan Cardwell, shooting guard K.D. Johnson and wing/forward Chris Moore. 

Now, taking an additional year with the program is obviously a two-way street. Pearl and Auburn’s staff have to include that player in their plans for next season’s lineup. Last season, for example, both Wendell Green Jr. and Allen Flanigan had another season available with Auburn, but the expectation within the program shortly after the conclusion of the season was that neither would return. Green turned pro, and Flanigan transferred.

Cardwell is likely the most valuable piece of the trio for next year, as he played the best basketball of his career this season. Especially if Broome leaves, Cardwell would give Auburn an experienced center in the rotation to pair with a potential first-year transfer. 

Moore started 42 games over the past two seasons at the 3 position. He’s primarily been a defensive specialist and rebounder for the Tigers, though he closed out this season missing just one shot over the last six games. Moore was phased out of Auburn’s lineup less than a month ago but had an impressive offensive response when re-inserted after Lior Berman’s season-ending injury.

Auburn will only be getting deeper on the wing next season when freshman Jahki Howard, a top-75 recruit, arrives in a couple months. Chad Baker-Mazara is also set to return after a strong finish to the season. But getting Moore back would obviously offer a more experienced option at the position than the freshman Howard. 

Johnson, the former Georgia transfer, has spent all but his first college season at Auburn, and has now spent the past couple seasons as the Tigers’ resident defensive menace off the bench. At the moment, Auburn is set to return its entire backcourt, with 5-star freshman point guard Tahaad Pettiford also on the way.

Johnson has been a huge piece of Auburn’s success of late under Pearl, now with two SEC championship rings on his hand. He’s also had his fair share of ups and downs. There’s no denying his defensive ability, though, and there wouldn’t be many better 2-guard duos in the SEC on the defensive end if both he and Denver Jones are back next season.

Additionally, Carter Sobera, a former walk-on who was placed on scholarship during the season, mentioned a couple months ago that his plan was to return in 2024-25. In that instance, Sobera would more than likely return to walk-on status.

3. ANY CHANGING OF THE GUARD(S)?

(C. Morgan Engel, Getty)

Auburn’s backcourt could, in theory, remain exactly the same next season, with only the freshman Pettiford added. But particularly at point guard, there may be a bit of a log jam that Auburn needs to sort through in the offseason.

The Tigers took their lumps at point guard, but for the most part, the balanced lineup between Tre Donaldson and Aden Holloway helped produce an assist-turnover ratio that finished in the top 10 nationally. There was plenty to be desired in terms of shot-making, though, but Donaldson was a physical and athletic defender all season, and Holloway improved leaps and bounds on the defensive end over the course of the year. 

But in comes Pettiford now — rated as the No. 1 point guard in the class by 247Sports. So who’s the odd man out for Auburn — if there needs to be one?

Holloway could be moved off the ball to the 2-guard spot, especially if Johnson doesn’t return. He and Donaldson rarely shared the floor this season, but there were some occasional double-point-guard lineups. At the end of the day, though, there’s usually not room for three starting-caliber point guards in one rotation.

Regardless of what that group ends up looking like, Auburn knows it needs improved guard play. That’s been a hindrance for the team in its three straight first-weekend exits in the tournament. Getting the most out of whatever combination of Holloway, Donaldson and Pettiford this offseason will be crucial for the Tigers’ aspirations moving forward — especially on a team that will be down its two leading scorers if Broome leaves.

At 2-guard, Jones now becomes one of Auburn’s most important returning pieces after his big surge in the last month-plus of the season. Not only did the FIU transfer find confidence in his shot and offense, but the Tigers did a better job of getting him involved, too. Jones’ elite on-ball defense spoke for itself all season. 

Assuming Johnson is back, five players between the two guard spots isn’t exactly outlandish, but it certainly feels like a crowded backcourt nonetheless. Things will get clearer with every decision — whether it be Johnson’s, or potential transfers in or out. 

4. HOW MUCH WILL AUBURN WORK THE PORTAL?

How big will Auburn’s transfer haul be this time around? The Tigers have done an excellent job of mining the portal the past three seasons in particular, as Pearl’s recent teams have been littered with contributors from the transfer ranks.

Of course, the transfer board starts with Broome’s potential replacement. If he’s NBA-bound, Auburn will put the full-court press on the best big men available. More names will continue to trickle in over the coming weeks, and after the conclusion of the tournament, as well. There will be plenty of centers to choose from — and there’s usually a couple surprise entries every year, too. If there’s a highly productive 5 man in the portal, Auburn will likely be in contact.

Chaney Johnson came on strong down the stretch, and Auburn is excited about his potential as a starter next season, with Williams’ decorated career now over. Getting another power forward from the portal doesn’t diminish Auburn’s thoughts on Johnson, though — in fact, picking up another frontcourt contributor might be a necessity, in terms of the Tigers’ numbers. Moore is capable of playing as an undersized 4 man, but other than Johnson, there aren’t any other true power forwards on the roster.

Thanks to Johnson’s emergence, Auburn can afford to be a bit flexible in terms of the type of player it looks at here. Hampton’s Jerry Deng and UNC Greensboro’s Mikael Brown-Jones have both been contacted by Auburn already in the portal, and both go about 6-foot-8 and 220 pounds. 

Obviously, the Tigers’ plans could change in an instant with a surprise decision from their own roster. But for now, the frontcourt will be a much larger emphasis in the portal than the backcourt. Still, Auburn has been in contact with a few transfer guards already. Once the puzzle pieces shake out with someone like K.D. Johnson, and potentially at point guard, Auburn’s transfer needs at guard will be clearer.

*** Subscribe to Auburn Undercover for the latest news and intel, podcasts, recruiting coverage and more ***

*** Get Auburn news straight to your inbox with the Auburn Undercover newsletter ***