The 2025-26 season did not go the way first-year head coach Steven Pearl or the Auburn fan base would have liked. But with the new season approaching, Auburn has a chance to bounce back and return to the NCAA Tournament.
After missing the NCAA Tournament last season, the Tigers are not as highly regarded in the preseason rankings. The Field of 68 released its SEC power rankings this week, and Auburn checks in at No. 10, ahead of LSU, Oklahoma, Georgia, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and South Carolina.
Steven Pearl and his staff did a good job rebuilding the Auburn roster through the transfer portal. One of Auburn's biggest weaknesses last season was a lack of frontcourt depth. To fix that issue, they first went into the transfer portal to add center
Bukky Oboye (Santa Clara), Owen Freeman (Creighton), Thomas Dowd (Troy), and Adam Olsen (South Alabama). They went international to add Narcisse Ngoy from France, who was cleared to suit up for the Tigers last week.
With guards Tahaad Pettiford and Kevin Overton returning, the Tigers should have one of the best backcourts in college basketball.
Auburn also adds more skilled ball handlers in George Kimble III (Vanderbilt) and Kolby King (Utah State). They are still awaiting word on the eligibility status of Lithuanian guard Mantas Rubstavicius. His addition to the roster could turn the Tigers into one of the best teams in the SEC.
Taking the top spot in the Field of 68 rankings was the Florida Gators, who return their frontcourt from last season with Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon, and Rueben Chinyelu. The rest of the top five included Texas, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Vanderbilt.
🚨Preseason SEC Power Rankings🚨
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) October 10, 2026
Who’s too high? Who’s too low? 🤔
SEC PREVIEW ⬇️https://t.co/h5F3PBEcWx pic.twitter.com/x8UjyysyMY
Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page onFacebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Phillip on Twitter@PJordanSports
This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Field of 68 puts low expectations on Auburn ahead of the season
