re: Auburn Basketball 2021 - 2022 28- 6 (15-3) SEC CHAMPS!

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I bet you like mayonaise.

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You AU Propaganda on twitter?

KD is my spirit animal

I went to a grizzlies game back in December… the officiating at the nba level is so much better. It was refreshing.

Part of the problem is college players have way less skill and body control… but at the same time they’re still freakishly athletic… combine that with mediocre refs and it’s a recipe for a shitshow.

Stolen from elsewhere: Mock draft from the Athletic

2. Orlando Magic?

Jabari Smith Jr. | 6-10 forward | 18 years old | Auburn?

Smith drops a spot here, but I’m still a believer in him being a terrific, high-upside forward. There are few better 6-foot-10-plus shooters to have entered the NBA over the last decade. His percentages going back to high school are terrific, his marks so far at Auburn are great, and his mechanics are pristine. Smith has hit 40 percent from 3 so far at 18 years old and is averaging 15 points per game for one of the top teams in college hoops. On top of that, he’s a really sharp team defender with good lateral quickness who has no issues defending in space or rotating into the right spots as an impactful defender.

Having said that, I do wonder if we might be taping over some of his flaws a bit in a way that we didn’t early in the season with Holmgren. Announcers constantly ask Smith to create and try to get his own shot more and to attack the basket more. I kind of think that, at least in the half court, he’s just not really capable of that yet as a ballhandler. He’s good at getting to his stepback on a one- or two-dribble move that is translatable given his high release point, but for the most part, he’s not breaking down defenders on an island, either. He’s a terrific, unselfish player who doesn’t force the issue, but he hasn’t made a ton of consistent, awesome passing reads yet this season. So while I’m definitely a believer that all of this will come, it’s worth noting that Smith isn’t a finished package. He’ll be able to step into the NBA early because of his shooting and defense, but it might take some time for him to reach stardom — if the ballhandling improvement comes.

18. Denver Nuggets?

Walker Kessler | 7-1 center | 20 years old | Auburn?

Walker Kessler is one of the few players across college basketball who has taken an opportunity and run with it to the point that he has become a genuine NBA prospect. If I had a vote, Kessler would be my SEC Player of the Year so far. With all due respect to Smith, Eason, Oscar Tshiebwe, Iverson Molinar, Colin Castleton and the others who have really stood out in that league this season, Kessler is the most impactful player on what is clearly the best team in the league. His defense is that vital, as he’d be my pick for national defensive player of the year at this point, as well. Since Dec. 14, Kessler is averaging 14 points, nine rebounds and a staggering 5.4 blocks per game while shooting 70 percent from the field and having made six 3s. The crazy thing is, I think the five blocks actually undervalue him on defense. Teams don’t try to drive inside on Kessler to finish with their guards all that often anymore, knowing the big man is there waiting to send it back. He has two triple-doubles with blocks during that span, too. NBA teams can expect a big man who is elite already in drop-coverage settings, who has good hands and has some potential to play on the perimeter offensively in dribble-handoffs and in playmaking situations. Scouts who have been down to Auburn regularly to check in on Smith have noticed. Kessler’s range is a bit wider as a true big man, but it’s getting harder to ignore his actual production in a sea of players who haven’t been all that productive.

Bruce Pearl calls @Florida a must win game.

Florida is a must win game. It would give us the cushion needed to win the SEC. Lose to UF and things get a LOT more squirrelly going down the stretch with no room for error. Now that could change if UK and UT drop another

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Stat of the night for Auburn: 20 assists

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Yep and when we share the ball we go to the next level as a team.

Fun fact, this is about the same time of the year that the 19 team started sharing the ball more and Chuma really started coming into his own. If history is repeating itself watch out. This team is much better defensively than that group. Nothing is guaranteed on the basketball court but I like our chances

I’ve seen multiple mock drafts with Jabari 1 and Kessler in the top 20. I think it’s safe to say both will be nba bound after the season. I’ve been saying Walker was gone so doesn’t surprise me but a lot thought when he popped up on boards in the 50’s that he was coming back but he’s proven his defense and hands are elite for a big.

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5.4 blocks per game while shooting 70 percent from the field and having made six 3s. The crazy thing is, I think the five blocks actually undervalue him on defense. Teams don’t try to drive inside on Kessler to finish with their guards all that often anymore, knowing the big man is there waiting to send it back.

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This right here is huge but not counted as a stat. Altering the shot of the competition is huge. I wish they would find a way to quantify it like they do QB Hurries in football. Kessler would probably get some quadruple doubles if they did.

I love watching this team play. It gets sloppy at times and then you get absolute elite play that is beautiful to watch.