AUBURN, Ala. – Basketball season is here. Technically, the season began Tuesday night with a 101-58 win over South Alabama. But with all due respect to the Jaguars, Friday's game against No. 25 Washington is the one that Auburn fans likely have circled on their calendar.
It marks only the second time in program history that there will be a non-conference matchup between two ranked teams played in Auburn. It's only the sixth time ever that the Tigers have hosted a ranked non-conference opponent and the first time since 2006 when No. 13 Texas A&M and No. 2 Pittsburgh both traveled to the Plains.
So needless to say, Friday's game is a big deal. And it will be a big deal come March when the NCAA selection committee analyzes Auburn's tournament résumé.
"You have to build a résumé to be able to put yourself in position to get in the tournament," Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said. "The way to advance in the tournament is to get good seeding. The way to get good seeding is to win and play a tough schedule.
"This Washington game is not on our schedule because we are supposed to be any better or worse. This game is on our schedule because I've always tried to get the best teams I possible could. It's just that now we're a little better, it actually allows us to get a top-25 team."
Coming off last year's SEC championship, Auburn entered the season ranked No. 11 in the preseason AP poll – the highest the Tigers have been ranked to open a season since 1999. And they certainly looked the part in the opener as they forced more turnovers (22) and made more 3-point field goals (18) than they allowed field goals (17). The 43-point victory over South Alabama is the largest for Auburn since 2016.
But it won't be as easy Friday. Washington is ranked for a reason.
The game is scheduled to tip off at 8:30 p.m. CT from Auburn Arena. Rod Bramblett and Sonny Smith will have the radio call on 93.9 Tiger FM, online at AuburnTigers.com and on the TuneIn app. The game will also be televised on SEC Network with Richard Cross and Daymeon Fishback on the call.
Player to watch: Chuma Okeke
Sophomore Chuma Okeke looks to be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses this season. He filled up the stat sheet against South Alabama with 20 points, nine rebounds, five assists, three blocks and three steals, setting a new career high in both points and assists, and his versatility will play a major role as Auburn looks to find ways to attack Washington's 2-3 zone Friday night.
Inside the series: Washington
Friday's matchup will be the first between the two programs.
Reaching the century mark
Auburn's 101-point performance against South Alabama was the sixth time the Tigers have scored 100 points in a game in Pearl's tenure, and it was the second straight season opener they accomplished the feat after defeating Norfolk State, 102-74, to start last season.
Prior to last season, Auburn had not scored 100 points in a season opener since the Tigers opened its SEC championship season with a 114-60 victory over Southeastern Louisiana in 1998-99. Before Pearl, the Tigers had not scored 100 points since a 105-56 victory over Grambling State in 2003.
Sharing the rock
Led by Jared Harper's 13 assists, Auburn dished out 24 assists on 38 made baskets as a team against South Alabama. The Tigers' 24 assists are their most since also recording 24 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff in 2013.
Home-court advantage
Auburn has posted a 14-0 home record against non-conference opponents over the last two-plus seasons, including a 7-0 mark last season. The win over South Alabama in the opener is the fourth time the Tigers have topped the 100-point plateau during the streak, and 11 of those 14 wins have been by at least 16 points.
During Pearl's tenure as Auburn's head coach, the Tigers have posted a 25-3 (.893) mark against non-conference opponents inside Auburn Arena.
Greg Ostendorf is a Senior Writer for AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @greg_ostendorf
Early test: Auburn hosts Washington in Top-25 showdown
