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July 18th,
2006
By Joel Welser
Broadcast Basketball
Auburn Tigers
Overall Rank:
#113
Conference
Rank: #11 SEC
2005-06:
12-16, 4-12, 5th (t) West
2005-06
postseason: none
 Jeff
Lebo is continuing the turnaround at
Auburn and things look better than they have in a few years.
Some transfers have hindered the team, but one incoming transfer
will make a huge impact and enough talent returns for the Tigers
to dream about postseason play. The lack of size is
a major concern, and will most likely keep Auburn at home in
March for at least one more year.
Who’s Out:
Joey Cameron, Michael Woodard and Emanuel Willis have
transferred. Cameron started 12 games and will look for a
better opportunity at Seton Hall. Woodard and Willis only
played in a handful of games before heading out of Auburn.
Woodard was the supposed answer at point guard, but the Tigers
found another option anyway. Ronny LeMelle, the only graduating
senior, led the team with 12.8 points per game. The guard added
3.8 boards and 2.3 assists.
Who’s In:
Auburn fans
had a bad first impression of Quan Prowell. They watched the
6-8 forward, then a member of the Furman basketball team, dump
19 points on their beloved Tigers during the 2004-2005 season.
A redshirt season later, and Prowell is donning the orange and
blue. Prowell averaged 15.2 points and 5.6 boards in 15 games
that season, battling academic eligibility issues along the
way. Power forward Matt Heramb likes to play facing the basket
and lacks the rebounding skills and strength to become a
dominant post player, but he has a nice touch on his shot and,
at 6-9, is the tallest player on the roster. Versatility is the
name of the game in Auburn and 6-5 forward Lucas Hargrove will
add to that. On the perimeter Archie Miaway is ready to
contribute immediately. The 6-4 guard averaged 15.67 points per
game last year at Tallahassee Community College in Florida.
He’s a scorer and can do it from long range or driving the lane
and should provide a nice spark off the bench. Nothing says
smart and tough like a coach’s son and a gym rat. Combo guard
Kelvin Lewis qualifies as both and could end up to be a nice
pickup for the Tigers. Rounding out the group is Dewayne Reed.
The 6-1 point guard will have to wait his turn, but will not be
a bad option when a score first mentality is needed running the
show.
Who to Watch:
Throw
freshmen into 28 games, and they will put up some good numbers.
The question is whether or not this young group is talented
enough to take their experience and win some games with it.
Quantez Robertson, Rasheem Barrett and junior Frank Tolbert are
a solid group on the perimeter. Robertson averaged 4.6 assists
and only 2.8 turnovers as a freshman. Those are solid numbers
for a freshman and should only get better this year. Barrett
and Tolbert will be the scorers on the wing and, along with
junior Daniel Hayles, are the main long range threats on the
team.
Final
Projection:
The frontcourt
has some returning talent in sophomores Josh Dollard and
Korvotney Barber. Dollard is a decent shooter, although he may
try his luck from behind the arc a little too much. Barber has
the potential to become a star in the SEC. The 6-7 forward led
the team with 4.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks last season. Not
having a true center is an issue, but a frontcourt of Barber and
Prowell is an intimidating duo that will make their presence
known. The depth should not be as much of a problem as it has
been lately. Even without counting on any freshmen, the
perimeter has Hayles and Miaway as very capable players and the
frontcourt has a sophomore with starting experience in Dollard.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
none
Projected
Starting Five:
Quantez
Robertson, Sophomore, Guard, 8.0 points per game
Rasheem Barrett,
Sophomore, Guard, 11.1 points per game
Frank Tolbert,
Junior, Guard, 9.1 points per game
Quan Prowell,
Junior, Forward, DNP last season
Korvotney
Barber, Sophomore, Forward, 6.8 points per game
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