SEC Network set to televise Auburn Tigers' basketball games during foreign trip to Israel

The SEC Network is set to televise the Auburn Tigers’ basketball games during their foreign tour to Israel in August, according to college basketball insider Jon Rothstein. The news is major for Auburn basketball fans and their program. Under the guidance of their head coach Bruce Pearl, the Tigers ascended to No. 1 in America for much of the 2021-2022 college basketball season. The top-ranking in college basketball was the first time the school accomplished the feat in program history.

Auburn’s preseason trip to Israel from July 31st to August 10th, per the press release on the team’s website. They will play three games during the 10-day span in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The Tigers’ will also face the Israeli U-20 National Team twice on Aug. 2nd and August 6th, as well as the Israeli Senior National Team on August 8th.

The NCAA allows teams to make an international trip once every four years. The basketball team previously went to Italy in the summer of 2017.

Pearl took a few moments to talk about the trip a few months ago in May.

“Every four years, you can take a foreign trip with your team,” Pearl said. “These foreign trips have been one of the greatest teaching moments I have been a part of in 40 years of coaching college basketball. Israel has not been your typical destination for college basketball teams. Yet, Israel, is one of the top 2-3 countries in the world in its quality of competition and support for professional basketball.

“Aside from basketball, this is an educational experience for our players. We are going to take them to where Jesus was born in Bethlehem and visit the City of David in Jerusalem. From a historical and religious standpoint, this is going to be one of the greatest trips in our student-athletes’ lives. I am grateful to Auburn for its continued support of our foreign trips over the years and helping with our ministry.”

Pearl signed a new deal with the Tigers at the end of January worth $5.4 million annually with a $250,000 escalator included in the contract. There’s no question the team’s unprecedented success under his guidance was the biggest reason for the salary jump.

Auburn is coming off of one of its best seasons in school history, finishing 28-6 this past year. That earned the Tigers a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, but they ultimately saw their season cut short in the second round against Miami. They lost key contributors Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler to the 2022 NBA Draft but brought in the No. 16 overall recruiting class according to On3’s Consensus Team Rankings. That includes center Yohan Traore, the No. 20 overall prospect.

On3’s Chandler Vessels also contributed to this article.