Some are saying it’s showing the past is nothing more. Some are saying it’s a sign that the future is bright. But, the best way to describe Auburn’s victory over Xavier in basketball is by agreeing there’s current change within the program.

Auburn’s 89-88 double overtime win over the Musketeers was Xavier’s third loss of the season. It’s something that only Long Beach State and UTEP have done, while Southeastern Conference teams Alabama and Missouri were unable to defeat Xavier at home.

For Auburn, it was unquestionably the biggest win of the season. Four players scored in double figures, including unlikely hero Malcolm Canada, who sank two free throws with 14 seconds left in the second overtime.

Things that would normally work against the Tigers certainly went in Auburn’s favor. When big man Cinmeon Bowers fouled out in the first overtime, newcomer, 7- foot-2 center Trayvon Reed came in and held his own, despite having practiced only three times with Auburn.

All of these things came together to give the Tigers a win against a team that’s made the NCAA Tournament nine times since Auburn’s last appearance in 2003.

At the same time, Auburn’s play this season has also been inconsistent.

The Tigers, who sit at 5-5, opened the season with a win against Milwaukee, followed by a loss to Colorado that included four points in a 10-plus minute span. Auburn followed that performance by scoring 105 points against Louisana- Lafayette, which marked the first time the Tigers had scored 100-plus points in more than a decade.

Since that win, Auburn has gone 3-4. But Auburn fans will soon learn how good it can be before SEC play starts with a trip to Vanderbilt on Jan. 6.

The Tigers’ next game is against Texas Southern, who recently defeated Michigan State.

It's a long season and it’s only Bruce Pearl’s first year as head coach, but it’s arguable that Auburn is there “there.”