Men's Basketball Should See Improvement

There’s been a buzz around the Auburn basketball program since coach Tony Barbee was hired two years ago. Despite that buzz leaving fans in disappointment, it appears the 2012-13 season may take steps in the positive direction.

Not only did the Tigers struggle last year on the court, compiling a 15-16 record, but things got sticky off the court, as well. Varez Ward was dismissed from the team mid-season and investigated by the FBI for point-shaving along with Josh Langford and Cedric McAfee being dismissed later. Noel Johnson was suspended indefinitely at the same time as the latter dismissals.

The Tigers’ loss of talent to graduation begins with forward Kenny Gabriel. Averaging 12.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per game will be missed. He also recorded the first triple-double in Auburn history.

However, the biggest loss on the team came with forwards, in general. Adrian Forbes graduated and Willy Kouassi transferred, leaving returning-starter Rob Chubb as the only big man who’s played for the Tigers.

However, the additions of transfers Asauhn Dixon-Tatum and Shareif Adamu will provide some help for Chubb.

The Tigers will be a guard-heavy team this year with Frankie Sullivan having a chance to truly define his role on the team and continue the leadership role he grew into last year. The main question with the three-point shooter is can he stay healthy. It seemed last year that he wasn’t at 100 percent for most of the year.

To help along with shooting from downtown is Jordan Price, who was considered one of the best three-point shooters in the country last year of high school players.

Speaking of talented freshmen, Shaq Johnson joins the team as one of the highest-profile dunkers coming out of high school. His highlight-tape dunks can be found all over YouTube and he has the ability to make fans forget the high flying that Gabriel used to do.

Even with experienced players, like Josh Wallace and Chris Denson, Auburn has been unable to have a winning season since the 2008-09 season, coincidentally the season after the Tigers’ last losing football season. However, Barbee is now bringing his players into his program. Success is on the way for the program--or at least improvement--and Auburn fans should see some this year.

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