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Auburn Hoops Reloads for NCAA Tournament Bid
11 Oct
Summary
- Auburn's basketball team has a new roster after losing key starters to graduation and the transfer portal.
- ESPN projects Auburn as a nine seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
- Key new additions include international players and transfers from other US colleges.
Following a challenging season that saw a decline from a Final Four appearance to an NIT Championship win, the Auburn Tigers basketball program has undergone a significant roster transformation. Several key starters have graduated, and numerous players have entered the transfer portal, creating a need for substantial rebuilding.
Despite these departures, the Tigers have aggressively reloaded their team through recruiting and the transfer portal. Notable additions include French center Narcisse Ngoy, who has received NCAA eligibility, and Lithuanian guard Mantas Rubtaviius. The team has also secured transfers like George Kimble from Vanderbilt and Adam Olsen from South Alabama, bolstering their guard and forward positions.
Further strengthening the frontcourt, 7-foot-1 transfer Bukky Oboye from Santa Clara joins Ngoy, providing significant size. The core of the team will be anchored by returning players Tahaad Pettiford, a survivor of the 2024 Final Four run, and NIT Most Outstanding Player Kevin Overton, both of whom have expressed strong ambitions for the upcoming season.
ESPN's Joe Lunardi has projected the Tigers as a nine seed in the NCAA Tournament, anticipating their first-round matchup against eighth-seeded Ohio State. If this projection holds, Auburn would open tournament play in Charlotte, potentially facing teams like Duke and Indiana.
