Imagine the electric buzz of a packed arena, where a powerhouse college basketball team steps onto the court for their first real test of the season—could this be the spark that ignites Auburn's quest for another deep tournament run? That's exactly what's on the horizon as the No. 20 ranked Auburn Tigers men's basketball squad gears up to tangle with Oklahoma State in a thrilling exhibition matchup.
Happening this Wednesday at the iconic Boutwell Auditorium in the heart of Birmingham, Alabama, the Ballin’ in Boutwell event promises an unforgettable night of hoops. This historic venue, originally constructed in 1924 as the Municipal Auditorium, adds a layer of timeless charm to the proceedings—think classic architecture blending with modern athletic intensity. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. Central Time and will be broadcast live on YouTube for fans who can't make it in person (check it out at https://www.youtube.com/live/1Atni9lASpw). If you're tuning in via audio, the Auburn Tigers app has you covered with the radio commentary from Andy Burcham and Randall Dickey. Oh, and heads up: tickets are completely sold out, so if you haven't snagged one, you're joining the virtual crowd.
Sponsored by heavyweights Nike and Hibbett, this exhibition marks the second installment of the Ballin’ in Boutwell series, which brings top-tier preseason action to this legendary spot. For Auburn, it's a pivotal moment—the unofficial opening act for their new head coach, Steven Pearl (more on him at https://auburntigers.com/staff/steven-pearl). Since kicking off practices last month, this will be the Tigers' initial chance to square off against outside competition, giving everyone a glimpse of how the pieces are fitting together.
Coach Pearl shared some insightful thoughts ahead of the tip: 'Oklahoma State, much like our squad, only brought back a couple of players from their lineup last season. They've revamped their roster with a ton of fresh talent, so we'll have to scout these new additions closely.' He emphasized the value of this game for his players: 'It's crucial for us to observe how our guys adapt to the energy of a crowd—around 3,000 to 3,500 fans, plus family members in the stands. Games like this can reveal if athletes shift their approach in high-pressure settings. We keep reminding them to approach it just like our recent practices, staying consistent no matter the spotlight.' For beginners dipping their toes into college basketball, this is a great example of how exhibitions help teams simulate game-day nerves without the full stakes of the regular season.
As the defending champs of the Southeastern Conference, Auburn is coming off an epic Final Four appearance last year, but they've had to rebuild after losing five key starters, including the standout Johni Broome (profile here: https://auburntigers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/player/johni-broome), who earned both conference and national player of the year honors. Bright spots remain, though, like sophomore guard Tahaad Pettiford (details at https://auburntigers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/player/tahaad-pettiford), a Jersey City, New Jersey native who made the All-SEC freshman team. Selected for preseason first-team All-SEC, Pettiford put up impressive numbers as a rookie: 11.6 points per game and 3.0 assists. Even though he only started once, he ranked third on the team in scoring and led in assists—talk about impact from the bench!
And this is the part most people miss: Auburn's 2025-26 roster is bursting with renewal, boasting 12 newcomers who could redefine the team's dynamic. Leading that charge is Keyshawn Hall (see https://auburntigers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/player/keyshawn-hall), the Big 12's top scorer from UCF at 18.8 points per game, bringing scoring punch that could elevate Auburn's offense. Another exciting addition is Birmingham local KeShawn Murphy (profile: https://auburntigers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/player/keshawn-murphy), a towering 6-10 forward with three seasons under his belt at Mississippi State. Last year, he shone as one of the SEC's premier sixth men, averaging 11.7 points and 7.4 rebounds as a junior—imagine the rebounding battles he'll wage on his home turf.
This exhibition is just the opener for Auburn's preseason slate; they'll follow it up with a clash against Memphis on Thursday, October 30, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. That'll serve as their final warm-up before the regular season launches with Tipoff on the Plains on November 30, hosting Bethune-Cookman in Neville Arena. Pearl elaborated on the strategic side: 'Wednesday's game lets us experiment with various lineups, figuring out which combinations click and which ones clash. We'll gain insights into who thrives at the start versus who closes strong. These early observations are gold—they shape how we adjust and improve as the season unfolds.' For those new to coaching lingo, this is about testing chemistry, much like assembling a puzzle to see what fits best under pressure.
On the other side, Oklahoma State is no slouch. Under second-year head coach Steve Lutz, they posted a 17-18 record last season and return just one starter. Mirroring Auburn's overhaul, the Cowboys welcome 12 new players, spearheaded by guard Isaiah Coleman. Transferring from Seton Hall, Coleman dazzled with 15.6 points per game across 29 starts in the 2024-25 campaign—expect him to be a scoring threat right out of the gate.
But here's where it gets controversial: with both teams so heavily reloaded, does experience from last season's veterans truly matter more than fresh talent in today's fast-evolving college basketball landscape? The two schools have a balanced history, splitting their four prior encounters. The most recent was in the 2016 Big 12/SEC Challenge, where Oklahoma State edged out a victory on Auburn's home court. Flashing back further, Auburn got the better of them in the 1999 NCAA Tournament's second round, winning 81-74 in Indianapolis to advance to the Sweet 16—a reminder of how these matchups can swing fortunes.
What do you think—can Auburn's new-look roster recapture that Final Four magic, or will Oklahoma State's transfers steal the show in this exhibition? Drop your predictions and hot takes in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you're Team Auburn all the way or spotting an upset brewing!
