2007 Auburn Tigers Basketball Preview

The Auburn Tigers (17- 15 overall, 7- 9 SEC West), who have not been to the NCAA tournament since 2003, tied for third in the West. This season, coach Jeff Lebo (43- 48 in three years with Auburn, 158-111 overall in nine years) will try to get the team to at least 20 wins. He’s got a good chance of doing that and more and of coaching his constantly improving veterans to the NIT.

The highlight for the Tigers last season was in the category of assists. Auburn finished second in the SEC, averaging 16.6 APG. The Tigers allowed 72.1 PPG (11th in SEC), while scoring 73.1 PPG (9th in SEC), making them a mere plus-1.0 in the PF/PA differential. Auburn’s 33.5% success rate from downtown and 63.1% from the foul line were both last in the conference.

Senior forward Quan Prowell (12.0 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 50.0 FG%) stepped up as the team leader last season. A polished player, Prowell can change the college basketball lines! He makes massive dunks and hits from the outside. Junior forward Josh Dollard (12.5 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 49.0 FG%), who led the team in rebounding and scoring, can hit from the inside and from three-point land. Junior forward Korvotney Barber (11.3 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 60.7 FG%) vastly improved his game in 2006- 2007 and will be one of our free college basketball picks and major force on this team.

The point will be in flux, however DeWayne Reed (5.4 PPG, 3.0 APG, 35.1 FG%) looks to be the playmaker for the team while Quantez Robertson (8.2 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 5.1 APG, 44.3 FG%) is an able two-guard and also a fine point man. Guards Frank Tolbert (11.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 47.8 FG%) and Rasheem Barrett (11.0 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.3 APG, 37.8 FG%) give the backcourt a whole lot of depth.

The Tigers’ 17- 15 record gave the club its first winning season since 2003. Lebo has made major strides with the team. More good news concerns a $92.5 million arena that the trustees approved last year. It will be finished in 2011. This club should certainly have many more winning seasons and probably a NCAA appearance or two prior to that date.