Everything we know about Auburn basketball's 2026-27 schedule
Steven Pearl's Tigers have most of their non-con slate set, and we can project a lot of who they'll play where in the SEC. Let's break it all down.
AUBURN — It’s never too early to think about the next basketball season.
Auburn will be working to prove that 2026-27 is a step back in the right direction for the program and a return to the usual standard after the roller coaster of Steven Pearl’s first season in charge of the program.
The Tigers were able to capitalize on some momentum from an NIT title run to reload their roster around the guard tandem of Tahaad Pettiford and Kevin Overton, and they’ll continue their summer on campus before heading out on an important foreign tour in Greece in August.
Before you know it, it’ll be that time again.
We don’t know every single opponent on Auburn’s 2026-27 schedule, but we’re close. The SEC is expected to announce the 2027 conference opponents for men’s basketball soon, as 1) it did so for the women Tuesday and 2) this is the time when it did so last year. (Don’t be surprised if it drops Thursday or Friday.)
Auburn has announced a handful of non-conference matchups, and some more have been reportedly set. Between those reports and the usual schedule rotation, we can project almost the entire schedule with some real certainty. (And we’ll update this post as soon as the official list of opponents comes out.)
On paper, the schedule looks like it will be another challenging one — especially with how tough the SEC is projected to be. Auburn is currently in the middle of the conference projections on T-Rank, sitting at No. 33 overall. But a good start with the new pieces, given what the Tigers go will go up against, would give them some real upward mobility when it comes to the analytic side of things.
Here’s a breakdown of all the opponents we can project for Auburn basketball next season. Who stands out on next season’s schedule, and what slots are left to fill? Let’s take an early look at what’s coming up for the Tigers.
NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS
TBD: Exhibition (Birmingham)
As Pearl told The Observer last month, Auburn will go back to Birmingham for an exhibition game this season. It’s a move that will help boost the Tigers’ finances for player revenue-sharing purposes.
November 17: vs. West Virginia (Players Era — Las Vegas)
Auburn will open its time in Las Vegas this year against one of the only other teams that got to finish last season with a win. While Auburn took the NIT, West Virginia grabbed the College Basketball Crown in its first season under former North Texas head coach Ross Hodge with a methodical offense (sixth-slowest pace in the country) and an elite defense (top-20 on KenPom).
The Mountaineers are No. 57 in T-Rank projections, having to practically rebuild their entire roster. They went heavy on experience in the portal, picking up physical wing Javan Buchanan (Boise State), journeyman Sedou Traore (Utah via Iowa and Manhattan), streaky shooter Jonon Sanson (hit four 3s vs. Auburn for St. John’s at Players Era), big-bodied point guard Martin Somerville (Florida State) and the incredibly named bucket-getter Finley Bizjack (Butler).
November 18: vs. Kansas or UNLV (Players Era — Las Vegas)
Last year was a weird one for Kansas, which had the elite but enigmatic freshman phenom Darryn Peterson, along with talented size in Flory Bidunga and Bryson Tiller. Kansas was awesome on defense but inconsistent on offense, leading to a third straight first-weekend exit for Bill Self. The Jayhawks are No. 12 in T-Rank projections, yet human polls have them more toward the back of the Top 25. Their new look is led by a No. 3-ranked freshman class and productive transfer forward Keanu Dawes (Utah), so there’s no telling what to expect from Kansas this season.
Like Auburn, UNLV was in the NIT last season during a so-so debut under Josh Pastner. T-Rank projections have the host city Rebels down at No. 95 right now, as they added the high-major transfer combo of Sebastian Mack (Missouri) and Cam Miles (Florida State) to a roster that broke in impressive center Tyrin Jones and combo guard Isaac Williamson as freshman starters last season.
November 19: TBD (Players Era — Las Vegas)
The other side of the “Players Era Eight” bracket could spit out one of two very different types of opponents for Auburn in its third and final day: There’s Florida (No. 2 in T-Rank) and Houston (No. 3) — or Rutgers (No. 77) and Notre Dame (No. 81). It all depends on how the field shakes out, and it’s not like Auburn will have plenty of time to prepare with the quick turnaround anyway. Head on a swivel here.
December 1: at Clemson (ACC/SEC Challenge)