A closer look at ‘the most ambitious non-conference schedule' for Auburn basketball

Bruce Pearl spoke highly of the Tigers' finalized noncon slate. And, judging by preseason projections, there are a lot of good reasons why.

(Todd Van Emst/Auburn Athletics)

Bruce Pearl knows how to sell an opponent.

It’s a gift that every coach in basically every sport has, to some degree — talk up your competition. It’s a sign of respect. It’s also a way to highlight just how difficult the challenge your team faces will be, whether the target audience is made up of fans, media members, your own players, tournament committee members or some combination of the four.

So it shouldn’t have come as a surprise Wednesday afternoon that, when Auburn basketball finalized its non-conference schedule for the upcoming season, Pearl had this to say in the press release:

“This is the most ambitious non-conference schedule in the history of Auburn men’s basketball and in my career.”

At first glance, this seems like Classic Coach Speak. The Next Thing is always the Biggest Thing.

And the obvious counterpoint came just last season, when Auburn had a shortened non-conference schedule that featured games away from home against the two teams that…