No. 20 Auburn Tips Off Steven Pearl Era Against Bethune-Cookman
                                Steven Pearl is set to commence his head coaching journey with the Auburn Tigers as they face Bethune-Cookman. The highly anticipated game will take place at sold-out Neville Arena on Monday evening.
Steven Pearl’s Coaching Debut
Following a successful tenure as an assistant under Bruce Pearl, Steven Pearl has prepared for this moment. He has been instrumental in leading Auburn to five SEC championships and two Final Four appearances over 11 seasons. Now, he takes the helm as the Tigers’ head coach.
Game Details
This exciting matchup kicks off at 7 p.m. CT. Fans can catch the action through SEC Network+. The voice of the Tigers, Andy Burcham, along with Randall Dickey, will call the game for listeners on the Auburn Sports Network.
Team Insights and Expectations
Auburn has introduced ten new players this season, creating a fresh dynamic within the team. Pearl expressed enthusiasm about this new roster during the pregame preparation, emphasizing the importance of playing in front of the passionate Auburn family.
- Auburn scored 95 points against Oklahoma State in their first exhibition.
 - In their second exhibition, they topped Memphis with a score of 100-71.
 
These strong performances in the preseason signal that Auburn’s offense is ready to shine. Pearl acknowledges the challenges posed by their opponents, particularly Bethune-Cookman, coached by former NBA star Reggie Theus. He praised the depth of Bethune-Cookman’s roster, noting that they feature talented players, including McDonald’s All-American Arterio Morris.
Looking Ahead
As the Steven Pearl era begins, the focus will be on adapting to his new role and maintaining the team’s competitive edge. With a promising start in the exhibitions, fans can look forward to what lies ahead for Auburn basketball this season.