'It's deserving': Bruce Pearl talks No. 1 ranking, Johni Broome's absence, preparing for No. 15 Mississippi State

AUBURN -- Auburn is ranked No. 1 in both the AP and Coaches polls following a 15-1 start to the season. It's the second time being ranked in the top spot in the AP poll and first time in program history being the consensus No. 1 team. Bruce Pearl says his team might not be the best team in college basketball at the moment, but his team is absolutely deserving of the recognition. "I think it's deserving, considering the schedule that we played, the teams that we've beaten, the great teams that we've beaten, and the job this team has done," Pearl said. "I don't know that we're the best team in the country right now... "When we were one back in 2022, we spent several weeks there, and I did feel like we were the best team in the country then. I did. And I just don't feel that way right now. However, maybe more deserving of the ranking now than ever before because of what these guys have done." Pearl updates Johni Broome's status, talks about preparing for Mississippi State and more inside.