2017-2018 basketball season

[CameronCrazy 1,059]

While everyone is discussing the graduate transfers that can help us immediately next year, I want to discuss the 2017-2018 season. Auburn basketball is still not where Bruce Pearl nor the Auburn family would like for it to be, but it's certainly headed in that direction. My main goal for this coming season is to avoid attrition. The Achilles heel under Barbee was attrition. I would certainly love to see this team make it to the NIT and be in the discussion for the NCAA tournament. But I'm more interested in keeping this core group of guys together in order to keep improving and have the opportunity for a special season in 2 years.

Losing Canty to suspension crushed us last year and put us in the hole for this year. The lack of presence inside continues to be a thorn in our side. But consider the talent and experience that we could have in 2017-2018.

PG

Davion Mitchell

Jared Harper

3-point specialist

Bryce Brown

TJ Lang

Scorers

Mustapha Heron

Daniel Purifoy

Rebounders & Defense

Trayvon Reed

Horace Spencer

Inside Scoring

Austin Wiley

It's hard not to count your chickens before they hatch, but that's 9 solid players right there! I'm still not sold on McClemore or New Williams, but they could also be included on this list. I expect to add 1-2 of Austin Petty, Jamal Johnson, Garrison Brooks, and Alex Reese to the the 2017 class and this list.

We have 2 spots left to fill as of today if Wadell does not return. I know we would all love to add a big man to give us immediate help next year. But I'm salivating over the idea of using the other spot to land Daniel Giddens (long shot) to redshirt and team up with Austin Wiley in 2017-2018. My second choice would be DeSean Murray.

First thing is get Purifoy qualified. Second thing is convince, Purifoy, Heron, and the rest of these guys to return in 2017 to put Auburn back on the map.

[ellitor 33,086]

Couple of things. I would be very surprised if AU took Garrison Brooks. His dad is a Miss St alum & AU has a number of 4's higher on their target list.

Also Purifoy is qualified for next year barring poor academic performances this semester or the Summer. If he repeats what he did in the Fall he will be fine.

[aujeff11 6,243]

Future is looking bright! I think we make gigantic strides this upcoming season.

[cole256 17,043]

I'm a big optimist but I don't see us being that good next year, I think it would be the year after. I just don't think we're deep enough with bigs or the perimeter

[AuburnNTexas 7,140]

I'm a big optimist but I don't see us being that good next year, I think it would be the year after. I just don't think we're deep enough with bigs or the perimeter

Adding 2 PG plus Purifoy and Heron should make us a good bit better then last year. Purifoy for Harris is probably a wash over this year Heron for Bowers should be an upgrade. 2 PG is definitely an upgrade, Spencer should be better then last year. The key will be Reed and Spencer. If Spencer is appreciably better and Reed with his new bulk is improved we will be solid next year. I am not predicting great but a much improved team over last year

[cole256 17,043]

Don't see how that's a wash or upgrade since they played different positions

[tigerbrotha12 2,362]

Purifoy is good. Technically Redshirted this year, and was ruled eligible to play after this season.

[ellitor 33,086]

Purifoy is good. Technically Redshirted this year, and was ruled eligible to play after this season.

Yes. We all know.

[AuburnNTexas 7,140]

Don't see how that's a wash or upgrade since they played different positions

Technically you are correct Bowers and Harris were PF's and Purifoy is a SF and heron is a SG\SF. Despite Bowers being labeled a PF last year he played PG and PF but when playing PF he didn't do a lot of down low posting on O he played more as a swing man. He was a PF on Defense. Harris was more of a true PF but he also spent a good bit of time on the outside on O.

I know you don't want Purifoy playing PF as you think SF is his better position. I agree with you however with Auburn's lack of big men Purifoy will play PF a lot He is up to 6'7" or 8 " and 230 pounds which would make him taller then Bowers Shorter than Harris with enough meat to hold his position on D. I believe his D against PF will be a wash and I believe his overall game will be an improvement over Bowers and unlike many on this board I liked Bowers. You are corect that Heron doesn't play same position as Harris and never will but when he plays SF he will be an improvement over Bowers.

Now when I say a wash or improvement it is based on what we were told about Purifoy last year in practice and the 5* rating on Heron never having seen either play against real college players I could be wrong one or the other could be better then I expected or worse. Heron really lit it up at the Kentucky Derby classic that gives me hope.

The real key to next year will be the fact that we have 2 new PG's hopefully allowing people like Lang, Dunans, Brown, Purifoy to get open looks or lanes to drive to the rack. The other key will be the improvement or lack of improvement by Spencer and Reed. If Reed with his added Bulk is able to hold his Position on D and Protect the lane and if Spencer has added some O to his game on the Block where we can allow the two to play together some ( not for long stretches) we can have a strong inside D with a lot of different looks at PG, SG, SF that would be a real matchup nightmare for other teams.

[Randman5000 4,226]

Just picked up a transfer that should really help. Getting quality depth will give Pearl more options.