Auburn basketball is all set for the upcoming 2025-26 season, and head coach Bruce Pearl has impressed many with his transfer portal moves. The Tigers are fresh off a Final Four run in 2025, now facing the daunting task of replacing nearly their entire starting lineup.
Pearl has assembled a squad set to compete for another SEC title. 6-foot-9 Serbian forward Filip Jovic has committed, and star guard Tahaad Pettiford has returned from the NBA Draft.
Bruce Pearl Assembled A Lethal Auburn Tigers Squad With Filip Jovic
Auburn’s 2024-25 campaign was phenomenal for the program, as the Tigers earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and reached the Final Four. However, Pearl had to rebuild from scratch with key departures like Johni Broome, Dylan Cardwell, Denver Jones, and Chaney Johnson.
NEWS: Serbian big man Filip Jovic has committed to Auburn, agent Misko Raznatovic told ESPN.
The 6’9, 20-year-old averaged 12.2 points (65% 2P%), 3.9 rebounds in 22 minutes for Mega SuperBet in the Adriatic League.
Experienced, physical, SEC-ready body for Bruce Pearl. pic.twitter.com/ZGMKo909sl
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 28, 2025
Pearl’s aggressive approach to the transfer portal and international recruiting has paid off. Adding Filip Jovic, a 20-year-old forward from Serbia, fills a critical frontcourt void.
Jovic, who averaged 12.2 points and 3.9 rebounds on 65% two-point shooting for Mega SuperBet in the Adriatic League, has brought a well-built, SEC-ready talent. His commitment, announced on May 28, 2025, rounds out a frontcourt that includes Mississippi State transfer KeShawn Murphy, UCF transfer Keyshawn Hall, and JUCO center Emeka Opurum.
Besides Jovic, one of the biggest turnovers for Auburn came on May 29, 2025, when Tahaad Pettiford announced his return after testing the NBA Draft waters. The 19-year-old guard, who averaged 11.6 points and 3.0 assists as a freshman, was a standout at the NBA Draft Combine, posting 23 points and eight assists in a scrimmage.
Despite projections as a second-round pick, Pettiford returned, eyeing a first-round slot in 2026. Pearl sees Pettiford as the cornerstone of the 2025-26 squad. As the only returning contributor from last season’s Final Four team, Pettiford is expected to anchor the backcourt and elevate his role as a primary playmaker.
Starting Lineup Prediction
With Pettiford’s return and Jovic’s arrival, Auburn’s starting five is taking shape. Here’s a predicted lineup based on current roster needs and Pearl’s comments:
- Point Guard: Tahaad Pettiford
- Shooting Guard: Kevin Overton
- Small Forward: Keyshawn Hall
- Power Forward: Filip Jovic
- Center: KeShawn Murphy
Pearl has turned a potential rebuilding year into a reloaded roster with championship aspirations. Jovic’s physicality and Tahaad Pettiford’s star potential give Auburn a balanced attack, making it capable of competing in the ultra-competitive SEC. If the Tigers can harness their depth and find cohesion early, they could replicate last season’s momentum.
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