Auburn may be without one of its key players when it faces Purdue this Saturday, but the Tigers’ support will be anything but lacking.
This Saturday, Auburn will take on Purdue in Birmingham, marking the final game in a series of challenging matchups as part of one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the history of the program. So far, the Tigers have posted an impressive 5-1 record in Quad 1 games, making them the only team in college basketball with five such victories. At the moment, no other team has more than four, with Memphis’ recent neutral-site win over San Francisco being downgraded to a Quad 2 game.
The upcoming game against Purdue feels like a bonus for Auburn. Even if the Tigers suffer a loss, their non-conference resume could still be considered one of the best in all of Division I basketball. This is particularly true if All-American center Johni Broome is unavailable due to a right shoulder injury.
Despite potentially missing Broome, Auburn will have a distinct advantage in terms of fan support. The game will be played just a couple of hours away from Auburn at Legacy Arena, which can hold nearly 18,000 spectators. Given the proximity, the vast majority of fans in the stands will be cheering for the Tigers, clad in orange and blue.
Dylan Cardwell, Auburn’s center, expressed his appreciation for the passionate fanbase on Thursday, saying, “It’s a blessing to play in front of those fans, because they’re always passionate, and they’re excited to come see us. And, sometimes, it’s people’s only chance to come see us play at away games. For us to have a pro arena filled up… it’s just so fun.” A week ago, Auburn enjoyed a similarly supportive crowd in a neutral-site game against Ohio State. In that contest, Auburn dominated with a 38-point victory, never allowing Ohio State to make it competitive. The crowd was predominantly Auburn supporters.
Saturday’s matchup, however, will present a different challenge. Regardless of Broome’s status, Auburn will be facing a Purdue team that has been a consistent force in college basketball under head coach Matt Painter. Just a year ago, Purdue was competing for a national championship. While the Boilermakers no longer have star player Zach Edey, many key players from that team are back, including a pair of National Player of the Year candidates, according to Auburn’s head coach, Bruce Pearl.
Pearl pointed out Purdue’s impressive résumé, highlighting their wins over Alabama and Ole Miss, both of which were ranked teams when they faced the Boilermakers. Purdue has also defeated strong programs like Maryland and NC State, and despite a loss to Texas A&M, their schedule has been one of the toughest in the nation.
Ranked just outside the top 20 in KenPom and the top 30 in the NET, Purdue’s roster is capable of competing with any team, anywhere. Auburn will certainly test that statement on Saturday afternoon, as it looks to maintain its perfect 5-0 record at neutral-site games this season.
Auburn power forward Chaney Johnson shared his gratitude for the fanbase, saying, “It’s a blessing, man, to be part of a team and college where fans love you so much that they’re willing to drive. Birmingham’s not too far, but there was a good bit of them at the Duke game, as well. Tickets aren’t cheap. They bring great energy. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to feed off the energy they give. It’s a blessing to have fans that ride for their players and their team.”
With such strong support from the Auburn faithful and a team that has proven it can compete with the best, the Tigers will be ready for another challenge against a tough Purdue squad. The energy from the crowd and the players’ determination will be on full display as Auburn looks to end its non-conference slate on a high note.
