Auburn set for the first challenge of tough Maui Invitational Slate

Auburn Tigers no. 4 will be competing in the Maui Invitational for the second time. Auburn’s second appearance in the highly respected event was the 2018-19 season, the year in which The Tigers made it to the Final Four for the first time in the program’s history.

As always, the field in Maui is stacked. Along with Auburn, defending national champion UConn, Iowa State, North Carolina, Dayton, Memphis, Michigan State and Colorado are participating in the tournament this year.

Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl believes that participating in this event will be beneficial for the Tigers as they will be taking on elite competition on short rest just as they would in the NCAA tournament.

“The way I look at it is we have a chance to play three big teams at a neutral site and really find out where we’re at, but also potentially help our NCAA tournament resume if we can be competitive.” Pearl said.

First up for Auburn are the Iowa State Cyclones, placed as no. 5 in the AP Poll. The Cyclones haven’t faced a challenge like the one the Tigers had against Houston, but were a Sweet 16 team last season and return some of their top contributors.

“Iowa State is a great defensive team. They have, analytically, defensively, (are) as good as anybody,” Pearl said. “They force turnovers. They have two of the best defensive guards, I think, in the country in Keshon Gilbert and Tamin Lispey. Those guys are both — there’s going to be some who say it’s the best backcourt in the country, but I think it’s the best backcourt in the country, for sure. And they also lead their team in scoring.”

Auburn’s bracket is arguably the toughest in the tournament. If it beats Iowa State, it will take on the winner of the No. 12 in North Carolina and Dayton. The winner of that game could face the No. 2 UConn in the championship game.

“I think with Iowa State, North Carolina and Dayton, is a great bracket,” Pearl said. “And if you look at it as if you want to try to play against the best teams in the country, we certainly have that opportunity. You can also look at it as if two of the top-three ranked teams in the country are playing in first round. But that’s Auburn basketball.”

Auburn will have Jahki Howard and Ja’Heim Hudson, the two players involved in the plane crash, back after they sat out Kent State and North Alabama.

“They were dressed and available for the last game against North Alabama,” Pearl said. “And so they travel with us and they are available.”

Auburn takes on Iowa State tonight at 20 CT on ESPNU.