Bruce Pearl reveals how Auburn's rebuilt roster gelled into SEC title squad

Auburn captured the SEC regular season crown this season in dominant fashion as the Tigers compiled a 15-3 mark in conference play. But the makeup of their roster has been what has stood out the most about Bruce Pearl’s squad.

With expected NBA lottery pick Jabari Smith and North Carolina transfer Walker Kessler in the rotation, this year’s Auburn roster as one of the best Pearl has ever had in his over 20 years of coaching. Both were named to the USBWA Men’s All-America Team, landing on the second and third teams, respectively.

While Kessler has proven to be one of the nation’s top shot blockers, Smith is averaging over 17 points per game and seven rebounds. Pearl does not think the natural talent alone has made the difference, though. It has been the chemistry the two have been able to build with the Auburn locker room that was already in place.

“I think the key was just because, when we recruited them, we recruited a certain culture in our locker room, and I promised Jabari or Walker that I’d surround them with great kids, that they would make lifelong friends, and they liked each other, and they got close,” he said ahead of the Tigers matchup with No. 15 seed with Jacksonville State in the NCAA Tournament. “There’s a real advantage to living in a great dorm and being around each other all the time. Then on the court, they went and competed and tried to compete for positions and playing time and roles. So we got after each other all summer long and obviously put it together in the fall.”

Kessler and Smith have added made Auburn immediate contenders for the national title. But the remainder of the Auburn roster has allowed for the duo to get the Tigers to this stage.

“From the standpoint of the pieces, we’ve got the Defensive Player of the Year, in my mind, Walker Kessler, the best shot blocker in the country,” Pearl said. “He cleans up a lot of our messes. I can play call, get Jabari Smith the shot, and he’s going to make it most of the time. We’ve got undersized but dynamic guards that are capable of getting hot and making plays.

“Put it all together — and especially this year in this league. This was the best the SEC’s been since I’ve been in there, top to bottom. So to be able to survive it and stay on top was a great accomplishment.”

Despite the early exit from the SEC Tournament, the Tigers hold a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament and are set to take on No. 15 seed Jacksonville State at 12:40 p.m. ET on Friday.