EDITOR'S NOTE: Coming Friday, a look at the newcomers Auburn will add (signees Sharife Cooper, Justin Powell and Chris Moore) and could still add (such as top recruits Jalen Green and Greg Brown, as well as a host of transfers) before next season.

AUBURN — Isaac Okoro did not arrive at Auburn as a surefire one-and-done NBA prospect.

AUBURN — Bruce Pearl would have preferred spendingn last weekend in Tampa, Florida; Spokane, Washington; Albany, New York; Greensboro, North Carolina; or any one of the other first- and second-round NCAA tournament host sites.

AUBURN — Allen Greene doesn’t know how many times he’s uttered the word “unprecedented” over the last 10 days. He does know that it’s more than he ever wanted to, but it’s not like Auburn’s athletics director has much of a choice.

AUBURN — Butch Thompson’s daily routine should feel familiar to a lot of people right about now.

AUBURN — One question overshadowed all the rest at this time last year: Who starts at quarterback?

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Auburn Tigers played their best game of the season on Saturday, reminding coach Bruce Pearl of how they played a year ago in turning in the best postseason in program history.

AUBURN — Gus Malzahn spent a lot of time Friday morning speaking to Matt Patricia of the Detroit Lions and Joe Judge of the New York Giants, who were the only NFL head coaches in attendance at Auburn’s Pro Day.

AUBURN — Josh Nebo scored 17 of his 19 points in the second half and Texas A&M survived a frenetic last-minute rally attempt to upset No. 17 Auburn 78-75 on Wednesday night.

AUBURN — Karl Nonemaker poked his head into Butch Thompson's office early Friday evening and offered one simple thought on the game that had just transpired a few dozen feet away on the field at Plainsman Park.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Other than a couple of instances, Kentucky has needed every possession to first gain an edge and then keep it in a gauntlet of close victories.

AUBURN — Bruce Pearl doesn’t want Auburn fans to be disappointed. The fifth-year men’s basketball coach understands why some are, of course.