Bruce Pearl moves past Vermont win and pivots to Auburn men’s basketball visit at Houston

Auburn men's basketball team shot 56% from the floor as five players finished in double figures as the Tigers open the season with a 94-43 victory over Vermont.

Forcing 16 turnovers on the Catamounts, the Tigers defense held Vermont to its lowest shot percentage (26%) in coach John Becker's entire 13-year tenure with the program.

Bruce Pearl loved the defensive effort displayed Wednesday night. However, Auburn's next game at Houston will present a much difficult challenge offensively.

"Well, I thought the best thing about it was we guarded without fouling. I thought that was so important," Pearl said. "Obviously Saturday at Houston is going to be a completely different matchup and different team, different size, athleticism and physicality."

"We're not celebrating this. Don't read into it too much other than we shot it really well and played pretty hard."

Houston dominated Jackson State 97-40 Monday to start its 2024 campaign. The Cougars has won 23 straight home games, marking it longest active streak in the nation.

To Pearl, the No. 4 ranked Cougars is one of the most competitive teams the Tigers will face all season.

"Now, the physicality will be different on Saturday. It won't be just Houston's first-shot defense. It'll be their second-shot defense and their third-shot defense because they're going to throw it up there and they're going to go get it," Pearl said.

"So, we'll put this one behind us quickly, focus on Houston and travel Friday. To me, Duke, Alabama and Houston are the three best teams in the country right now as I see it."

Auburn will meet Houston Saturday, inside the Toyota Center as part of Mattress Firm Battleground 2k24. The game will air on ESPNU at 8:30 p.m.