Auburn Basketball’s Non-Conference Slate Adds Excitement as Tigers Set to Host Tough MAAC Opponent This November at Neville Arena

The countdown to basketball season on The Plains just got a little more intriguing. Auburn basketball has officially added another early-season opponent to its 2024-25 schedule, with the Tigers set to host a talented Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) squad at Neville Arena in early November.

The matchup, scheduled for a yet-to-be-announced date in the first week of November, is expected to serve as one of Auburn’s key tune-up games ahead of a brutal non-conference stretch and a demanding SEC slate. And while some might overlook the significance of a MAAC opponent coming to town, Auburn fans and basketball insiders know better — there are no easy nights in college hoops, especially against a league known for upsets, gritty play, and experienced rosters.

The MAAC’s Growing Reputation

For those unfamiliar, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference has quietly become one of the most competitive mid-major basketball leagues in the country. Programs like Iona, Siena, Fairfield, and Rider have made national headlines over the years with NCAA Tournament appearances, upset bids, and standout players who’ve gone on to play professionally.

In recent seasons, the MAAC has showcased tough, defensive-minded teams that execute at a high level, making them dangerous opponents for high-major programs like Auburn. Last year, MAAC schools picked up multiple non-conference wins over power-conference teams, underscoring the league’s depth and ability to punch above its weight.

Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl is certainly aware of that reputation and isn’t overlooking the early-November clash.

“We’ve got a lot of respect for the MAAC,” Pearl said in a recent statement. “They’ve sent teams to the tournament, they’ve got coaches who know how to prepare, and they’ve got guys who’ve been in college basketball for four, five, even six years. You can’t simulate that kind of experience. We’re going to have to bring our best effort right from the opening tip.”

Auburn’s Early-Season Vision

The Tigers have been deliberate in constructing a non-conference schedule that tests their squad ahead of SEC play, and this game fits perfectly into that strategy. With a roster featuring a mix of returning veterans, impact transfers, and promising newcomers, Auburn is expected to be a Top 25 team with legitimate aspirations of competing for an SEC title and making a deep NCAA Tournament run.

However, as Pearl often emphasizes, success starts with the foundational games in November.

“Every season has a rhythm, and you want to challenge your guys early,” Pearl explained. “These games are critical for building chemistry, establishing defensive identity, and seeing which players are ready to contribute in big moments.”

Auburn fans will get their first in-person glimpse of the team at Neville Arena in this matchup, which also marks the Tigers’ home opener for the 2024-25 season. After last year’s electric atmosphere, where Auburn ranked among the national leaders in home attendance and student section impact, expectations are high for another raucous environment.

“We’ve got the best fans in college basketball,” Pearl said. “There’s nothing like playing at Neville Arena. I know our guys feed off that energy, and it can be the difference in a close game.”

The Opponent: A Tough, Experienced MAAC Squad

While Auburn officials have not yet revealed which MAAC program will make the trip to Auburn, early speculation suggests it could be one of the league’s perennial contenders. Iona, Fairfield, and Rider have all been linked to high-profile non-conference games this fall, with Auburn’s matchup expected to be part of a broader series of early-season showcases involving mid-major powers facing off against SEC programs.

No matter the opponent, history suggests Auburn will face a battle-tested group. MAAC programs typically return experienced guards, skilled shooters, and physical big men — a combination that can challenge even the most talented high-major teams if taken lightly.

In fact, MAAC teams have developed a reputation for pulling off November surprises. Just last season, several MAAC squads earned upsets or close losses against nationally ranked programs, boosting their NCAA NET rankings and making them formidable opponents come March.

For Auburn, the matchup provides both an opportunity and a warning.

“This isn’t a game where you ease into the season,” Pearl said. “Our guys have been grinding in the gym all summer, but this will be a real test right away.”

Auburn’s New-Look Roster Ready for Action

Tigers fans have plenty of reasons to be excited for the upcoming season. Despite losing a few key contributors to graduation and the NBA Draft, Auburn has reloaded with a combination of experienced returners, high-upside freshmen, and impactful transfers.

Leading the way is senior guard Tre Donaldson, who returns as the floor general after averaging career highs in points, assists, and steals last season. Donaldson’s ability to control tempo and defend opposing guards makes him a cornerstone of Pearl’s aggressive, fast-paced system.

In the frontcourt, Auburn welcomes back center Johni Broome, one of the SEC’s most dominant big men. Broome, known for his shot-blocking prowess and inside scoring, gives the Tigers a reliable presence in the paint and a vocal leader on the floor.

The Tigers also dipped into the transfer portal to bolster their perimeter, landing sharpshooting wing Micah Robinson from the ACC and veteran forward Cam Matthews, whose versatility and toughness have already drawn rave reviews during summer workouts.

Freshman guard Devan Lewis, a consensus Top-50 national recruit, is expected to compete for immediate playing time, bringing athleticism and scoring ability to Auburn’s backcourt.

With that roster mix, Auburn enters the season as a potential SEC title contender and a team expected to challenge for a high NCAA Tournament seed. But as Pearl often reminds, preseason hype means little if the team doesn’t handle business in games like this MAAC showdown.

Building Momentum Ahead of the SEC Grind

Following the early-November home clash, Auburn’s schedule only gets tougher. The Tigers will participate in a prestigious multi-team event later in November, facing national powers from the Big Ten, Big 12, and Pac-12. SEC play begins shortly after New Year’s, with Auburn facing road tests against programs like Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama.

Pearl views these November games as critical for building momentum, refining rotations, and setting the tone for the season.

“You can’t wait until January to flip the switch,” Pearl explained. “Every possession, every defensive stop, every loose ball matters from Game One.”

That’s why this MAAC matchup, while it might seem under the radar, carries significant weight for Auburn. A strong showing can instill confidence, showcase new faces, and excite a fanbase hungry for another deep run in March. But a sluggish performance or an upset loss could expose weaknesses and set the wrong tone for what is expected to be a highly competitive campaign.

Neville Arena: The Auburn Advantage

Fortunately for the Tigers, few venues in college basketball provide a bigger home-court advantage than Neville Arena. Known for its deafening noise, student section enthusiasm, and proximity to the action, the arena routinely disrupts opposing offenses and fuels Auburn’s aggressive defensive style.

Last season, Auburn posted one of the nation’s best home records, with several marquee wins coming in front of sold-out crowds. Pearl is counting on that same energy to be present from the opening tip this November.

“It’s a special place,” Pearl said of Neville Arena. “We need our fans loud, proud, and ready from the first game.”

The 2024-25 season brings high expectations and high stakes for Auburn basketball. With a veteran core, promising young talent, and the guidance of Pearl — now entering his 11th season at the helm — the Tigers are poised to compete at the highest level.

Games like this November showdown against a tough MAAC opponent provide more than just a chance to notch an early win. They serve as measuring sticks, chemistry builders, and reminders that in college basketball, every night demands maximum effort.

For Auburn fans, the message is clear: circle the date, pack Neville Arena, and get ready for the start of what promises to be another thrilling season on The Plains.

Because when the Tigers take the floor this November, the road to March begins — and every possession counts.