A Season of New Challenges
The university announced its 2026‑27 nonconference slate, highlighting a much‑anticipated showdown with the University of Wisconsin in Nashville on December 19, 2024.
That contest marks only the second meeting between the programs, the first having gone to Wisconsin in 2006, and it will be coached by Greg Gard, who is entering his 11th season at the helm.
Auburn will also travel to Las Vegas to take part in the Players Era Festival, a showcase that has become a staple of the Tigers’ off‑season schedule.
The Tigers are set to resume a home‑and‑home series with Arizona, splitting the two meetings after the Wildcats won the initial matchup.
Key Players Set to Lead the Charge
Point guard Tahaad Pettiford and forward Kevin Overton will return, having been instrumental in Auburn’s run to the NIT championship after a missed March Madness appearance.
Their contributions helped the team win five straight games to close the season, and Coach Steven Pearl believes their chemistry will give the Tigers a strong foundation for the upcoming schedule.
The upcoming ACC/SEC Challenge will also test the squad against regional rivals, adding another layer of excitement to the nonconference slate.