Why Auburn basketball is in line for a 3-point resurgence this upcoming season

The Tigers have finished outside of the top 200 in college basketball for 3-pointers in back-to-back seasons. That should change soon.

(Shanna Lockwood/Auburn Athletics)

Bruce Pearl’s teams have gone through quite a bit during his time on the Plains.

He’s had short teams, like the ones that ended Auburn’s NCAA Tournament drought in 2018 and then went to the Final Four a year later. He’s had tall ones, like his most recent squad that ranked No. 10 in Division I in average height.

He’s had teams that were known for their relentless, high-pressure defenses that created turnovers at a high rate. More recently, his defenses have become more focused on shot-blocking and winning in the half-court, especially with the NCAA’s recent rule changes on trapping.

But one thing has been a near-constant ever since Pearl’s arrival — his offenses are going to let it fly from 3-point range.

In Pearl’s seven seasons at Auburn, the Tigers have ranked inside the top quarter of Division I programs in the percentage of their field goal attempts that were from beyond the arc. The Tigers have finished in the top 40 nationally in four of those seas…