Basketball News: 7-20-2026
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Dudley Dent
Jul 20, 2026, 7:52:47 AM (6 days ago) Jul 20
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Auburn Basketball News: 7-20-2026
Overton re-tooling his game — and his communication strategy:
https://www.on3.com/teams/auburn-tigers/news/overton-re-tooling-his-game-and-his-communication-strategy/
Which former Auburn players are a part of this year's TBT?:
https://auburnwire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/auburn/mens-basketball/2026/07/18/auburn-basketball-red-rose-war-ready-roster-tbt/90968530007/
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Overton re-tooling his game — and his communication strategy
By Jay G. Tate
Auburn Sports On3 Rivals
Kevin Overton is a passionate person and he’s not planning to change that.
Still, the Tigers’ senior guard says he wants to communicate his emotions with a little less fire a little more introspection moving forward. He might even speak calmly most of the time.
“I definitely think there were some moments (last season) that … it was hard for me to hold back just how I felt overall, especially when you’re losing,” Overton said. “We all had our show-too-much-emotion times, but I think this year is just showing to stay steady — especially for me and Tahaad.”
Overton and junior Tahaad Pettiford were key contributors throughout the Tigers’ 2025-26 season, which started poorly with several lopsided losses. Things turned around in a big way in March, however, when the team reeled off five consecutive victories. That hot streak yielded a National Invitation Tournament title.
THE MARCH RUN CHANGED THINGS
Overton was at his best during Auburn’s final 10 games of the season. During that run, he averaged 17.9 points per game and shot 49 percent from beyond the arc. He became one of the nation’s most consistent shooters and contributors.
Schools were interested. Overton had a chance to test the NIL waters and look for a bigger payday. In the end, the Oklahoma City native instead wanted another chance to collaborate with Pettiford and see what the two could accomplish with another year of growth.
“It’s fun. He’s in the same position,” Overton said. “I kind of understand how he felt coming off the Final Four year. I was coming off the Elite Eight. We went through a lot together. I’m playing against him, he’s playing against me every day. We’re trying to make each other better and not really make it about too much other than that. It’s just — let’s just try to keep each other on a steady track and we’ll be all right.”
RE-INVENTING HIS ROLE
Overton has work ahead.
Used primarily as a perimeter shooter and transition passer last season, the 6-foot-5 guard says the Tigers’ new-look roster means he must make different kinds of contributions next season. The biggest change will be in the post, where 7-foot center Narcisse Ngoy and 7-foot-1 center Bukky Oboye will provide post power that Auburn lacked last season.
Coach Steven Pearl also added a pair of power forwards — one with elite shooting range (South Alabama transfer Adam Olsen) and Creighton transfer Owen Freeman, who thrives in the paint.
Overton wants to make sure those bigs get plenty of opportunities.
“It’s just been teaching me how to take up space and be able to make other plays around the rim,” Overton said. “It’s really not about scoring for me now. I’m trying to make those second and third level plays. That’s my main focus of the summer and going into August. They’ve been what they needed to be so far, for sure.”
***********************
Which former Auburn players are a part of this year's TBT?
By Taylor Jones
Auburn Wire
The Basketball Tournament, also known as TBT, is getting underway this month. Once again, Auburn will be represented in the event.
Auburn alumni have competed in TBT for several years under the name "Team War Ready." However, the team has undergone a rebrand and will now be known as "Red Rose War Ready" after merging with fellow TBT participant, Red Rose Thunder.
Which former Auburn players will compete in this year's TBT with Red Rose War Ready? A quartet of fan favorites from the Bruce Pearl era will reunite for a chance to win the $2 million prize.
Former Auburn point guard Wendell Green Jr. will wear No. 1 for Red Rose War Ready and will aim to control the tempo for his squad in the tournament. Green played two seasons at Auburn after transferring from Eastern Kentucky and was a solid offensive threat by averaging over 10 points per game and shooting 84% from the free-throw line.
Next up is Malik Dunbar, who made 13 starts and appeared in 39 games total during Auburn's Final Four run in 2018-19. He reached the 10-point mark 12 times that season, and produced a streak of three-straight games of 10-or-more points. Outside of being a key role player during Auburn's Final Four run, Auburn fans will know Dunbar from his singing abilities.
Babatunde Akingbola, a former center for the Auburn Tigers, is a part of Red Rose War Ready. The player affectionately known as "Stretch" did not see much action during his four seasons on the Plains, but still made his presence felt with his 6-10, 245-pound frame.
Finally, Laron Smith rounds out Auburn's representation on Red Rose War Ready. Smith played one season as a forward for the Tigers, making three starts during the 2016-17 season. That season, Smith averaged 2.6 points and 2.4 rebounds, with his best game coming against USC Upstate when he scored 15 points in 21 minutes.
Red Rose War Ready will take the floor for the first time on Wednesday, July 22, when they face Heartfire Elite at M Resort in Las Vegas. Check out the entire schedule for this year's TBT here:
https://tbthoops.com/tbt-2026-schedule/
Overton re-tooling his game — and his communication strategy:
https://www.on3.com/teams/auburn-tigers/news/overton-re-tooling-his-game-and-his-communication-strategy/
Which former Auburn players are a part of this year's TBT?:
https://auburnwire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/auburn/mens-basketball/2026/07/18/auburn-basketball-red-rose-war-ready-roster-tbt/90968530007/
***********************
Overton re-tooling his game — and his communication strategy
By Jay G. Tate
Auburn Sports On3 Rivals
Kevin Overton is a passionate person and he’s not planning to change that.
Still, the Tigers’ senior guard says he wants to communicate his emotions with a little less fire a little more introspection moving forward. He might even speak calmly most of the time.
“I definitely think there were some moments (last season) that … it was hard for me to hold back just how I felt overall, especially when you’re losing,” Overton said. “We all had our show-too-much-emotion times, but I think this year is just showing to stay steady — especially for me and Tahaad.”
Overton and junior Tahaad Pettiford were key contributors throughout the Tigers’ 2025-26 season, which started poorly with several lopsided losses. Things turned around in a big way in March, however, when the team reeled off five consecutive victories. That hot streak yielded a National Invitation Tournament title.
THE MARCH RUN CHANGED THINGS
Overton was at his best during Auburn’s final 10 games of the season. During that run, he averaged 17.9 points per game and shot 49 percent from beyond the arc. He became one of the nation’s most consistent shooters and contributors.
Schools were interested. Overton had a chance to test the NIL waters and look for a bigger payday. In the end, the Oklahoma City native instead wanted another chance to collaborate with Pettiford and see what the two could accomplish with another year of growth.
“It’s fun. He’s in the same position,” Overton said. “I kind of understand how he felt coming off the Final Four year. I was coming off the Elite Eight. We went through a lot together. I’m playing against him, he’s playing against me every day. We’re trying to make each other better and not really make it about too much other than that. It’s just — let’s just try to keep each other on a steady track and we’ll be all right.”
RE-INVENTING HIS ROLE
Overton has work ahead.
Used primarily as a perimeter shooter and transition passer last season, the 6-foot-5 guard says the Tigers’ new-look roster means he must make different kinds of contributions next season. The biggest change will be in the post, where 7-foot center Narcisse Ngoy and 7-foot-1 center Bukky Oboye will provide post power that Auburn lacked last season.
Coach Steven Pearl also added a pair of power forwards — one with elite shooting range (South Alabama transfer Adam Olsen) and Creighton transfer Owen Freeman, who thrives in the paint.
Overton wants to make sure those bigs get plenty of opportunities.
“It’s just been teaching me how to take up space and be able to make other plays around the rim,” Overton said. “It’s really not about scoring for me now. I’m trying to make those second and third level plays. That’s my main focus of the summer and going into August. They’ve been what they needed to be so far, for sure.”
***********************
Which former Auburn players are a part of this year's TBT?
By Taylor Jones
Auburn Wire
The Basketball Tournament, also known as TBT, is getting underway this month. Once again, Auburn will be represented in the event.
Auburn alumni have competed in TBT for several years under the name "Team War Ready." However, the team has undergone a rebrand and will now be known as "Red Rose War Ready" after merging with fellow TBT participant, Red Rose Thunder.
Which former Auburn players will compete in this year's TBT with Red Rose War Ready? A quartet of fan favorites from the Bruce Pearl era will reunite for a chance to win the $2 million prize.
Former Auburn point guard Wendell Green Jr. will wear No. 1 for Red Rose War Ready and will aim to control the tempo for his squad in the tournament. Green played two seasons at Auburn after transferring from Eastern Kentucky and was a solid offensive threat by averaging over 10 points per game and shooting 84% from the free-throw line.
Next up is Malik Dunbar, who made 13 starts and appeared in 39 games total during Auburn's Final Four run in 2018-19. He reached the 10-point mark 12 times that season, and produced a streak of three-straight games of 10-or-more points. Outside of being a key role player during Auburn's Final Four run, Auburn fans will know Dunbar from his singing abilities.
Babatunde Akingbola, a former center for the Auburn Tigers, is a part of Red Rose War Ready. The player affectionately known as "Stretch" did not see much action during his four seasons on the Plains, but still made his presence felt with his 6-10, 245-pound frame.
Finally, Laron Smith rounds out Auburn's representation on Red Rose War Ready. Smith played one season as a forward for the Tigers, making three starts during the 2016-17 season. That season, Smith averaged 2.6 points and 2.4 rebounds, with his best game coming against USC Upstate when he scored 15 points in 21 minutes.
Red Rose War Ready will take the floor for the first time on Wednesday, July 22, when they face Heartfire Elite at M Resort in Las Vegas. Check out the entire schedule for this year's TBT here:
https://tbthoops.com/tbt-2026-schedule/
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