Bruce Pearl speaks about value of getting contributions from multiple players

As the season continues, proven depth can make all the difference for any team that has it at their disposal. Auburn is one of those contenders that’s showing they do and, as such, Bruce Pearl thinks his team is progressing at the right time.

Pearl spoke about the lineup for the Tigers and the success throughout it in their game this weekend following the 91-77 victory at Ole Miss. He was glad to see them play well from top to bottom because, come the postseason, it could separate them apart from anyone, if not everyone, else.

“I think it’s the key to our season,” said Pearl.

Having seven players averaging seven or more points and an eighth averaging five or more is a luxury for the Tigers with several guys who can get it done on any night. It also generates faith as each of them knows that they can rely on the one beside them.

“I think, as much as anything, is they begin to have confidence in each other now,” said Pearl.

“They recognize, at any (moment)? K.D. (Johnson) can make a difference coming off the bench at any time,” Pearl said. “Chad Baker is a really, really good player that’s so versatile and he plays on both ends of the floor. Then you’ve got a veteran in Jaylin Williams but, in the first half, he didn’t play as great. But Chaney Johnson is out there playing – defending, posting up, making plays.”

In the comeback victory in Oxford, Auburn had six players finish in double figures, including four of their five starters. Williams led the way for the team with 16 points. Johni Broome (15), Denver Jones (11), and Tre Donaldson (10) combined with him to provide 52 of the 55 from the starting lineup. Then, off the bench, Baker-Mazara scored 15 more while Johnson provided 11 on perfect shooting.

Those six players shot a combined 30-54 (55.6%) from the field, including 10-22 (45.5%) from three. All of them shot better than 50% to help the Tigers hit 54.7% of their attempts against the Rebels.

In order to win it all, teams need as much reliable help as they can get. This latest outing is proof that Auburn has that benefit available to them, which, heading into the back half of the conference race in the SEC, is all Pearl could ask for at this point.

“We took a step tonight. I mean tonight was a step,” Pearl said. “Now, we’ll see if we’ve got to take another step on Wednesday when we play the first-place team.”

“We’ll be playing for first place on Wednesday in February,” said Pearl. “That’s good.”