To kick things off, Auburn basketball will host Purdue at Legacy Arena in Birmingham on December 21, 2025, and in 2026 the Tigers will take on the Boilermakers as part of the Indy Classic at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on December 20.

“We are excited about playing in Birmingham, which will serve as an NCAA Regional site,” said Pearl, per Auburn Live. “With a quality opponent like Purdue, I would anticipate us selling out Legacy Arena. I know the Auburn Family will step up and meet that challenge. We are excited for our players, because if you want to be the best, you have to play the best.”

247 Sports ranks SEC teams ahead of the season

Ahead of the official SEC preseason poll, 247 Sports released their preseason poll voted upon by SEC experts across various 247 Sports sites. Heading into the second year of Hugh Freeze’s tenure on the Plains, Auburn football has been ranked #10 in the SEC.

Georgia was unanimously voted as the #1 team, and votes were placed by writers covering each SEC program except Missouri and Vanderbilt. The full rankings are as follows:

1. Georgia
2. Texas
T-3. Alabama
T-3. Oklahoma
5. Tennessee
6. Missouri
7. LSU
8. Oklahoma
9. Texas A&M
10. Auburn
11. Kentucky
12. Florida
13. South Carolina
14. Arkansas
15. Mississippi State
16. Vanderbilt

The official SEC preseason poll will be released this Friday after voting by credentialed members of the media at SEC Media Days.