I really hope our team comes around this year...

[War Eagle!!!]

I like Lebo, and I personally think he is a good coach...which is why I am having a hard time understanding why we have sucked for so long. No more excuses this year. If Lebo doesn't have it turned around and we have MAJORLY improved...he needs to go.

I think this is a record for a basketball post from me this early in the year...man it sucks to have a shitty football team...

As Jeff Lebo approaches the start of his fifth season at Auburn, he'll need a big contribution from several newcomers in order to reach postseason play for the first time since he took over the program in 2004.

Lebo appears particularly excited about the addition of junior college shooting guard Tay Waller and freshman combo guard Frankie Sullivan.

 
Todd Van Emst
 
Lebo is working with a lot of newcomers in his fifth season at AU.
"They can shoot the ball. You have to defend them all the time. I've been real impressed with both of them," Lebo said. "Tay can make some tough shots. He's got range with the three.

"Frankie has the same thing. He can really shoot it. Like most freshmen, he just turns it over a little bit too much and gets going a little too fast. Defensively, he's been a little bit better than I anticipated and he's a great competitor."

Waller made 260 three-pointers in two seasons at Okaloosa-Walton and hopes to be the consistent outside threat the Tigers have been lacking the last couple of seasons.

"I've been shooting pretty good. I feel confident," Waller said. "When I first got here I had to adjust a little bit but after two weeks, my shot, it's been back."

Waller has been working mainly at shooting guard while Sullivan, who suffered a high ankle sprain in Thursday's practice, can play the point or shooting guard.

Auburn also got a big boost to its inside game with the addition of three junior college transfers in Johnnie Lett, Francis Aihe and Brendon Knox.

"Defensively, Johnnie Lett is probably the best," Lebo said. "Francis is probably the best at understanding some of the principles but is not as strong.

"Knox does some stuff that makes your eyes pop every once in a while but he needs to do that more consistently. He's got to get in better shape. His mind tends to wander."

Lebo also mentioned walk-on freshman guard Josh Wallace as a newcomer that could see playing time this season.

"He's done a really good job in practice pushing Tez and pushing DeWayne Reed hard at the point guard because he can really defend the ball. He's a pest," Lebo said.

Lebo said the Tigers have spent the first couple of weeks of practice trying to get the newcomers up to speed and blend them in with the veterans including seniors Quantez Robertson, Korvotney Barber and Rasheem Barrett, and juniors Reed and Lucas Hargrove.

"It's been slow," Lebo said. "When we put all the vets together, it seems to go a lot better. When we mix the teams up and sprinkle some new guys in with some of the old guys, it doesn't go quite as smoothly and I don't expect it to be right now."

Auburn's been slowed a little with injuries. In addition to Sullivan's ankle injury, Barrett has missed most of preseason workouts with a groin injury and Barber missed part of Thursday's practice with a slight concussion.

Auburn will hold an exhibition game against Morehouse College Nov. 7 at 6 pm Central in Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum. Admission is free.

"It will be good for the guys to play against different jerseys," Lebo said. "With a game situation, you don't know what you get until you turn the lights on and see how some of the guys will react."

The Tigers play their season opener at home against Missouri State at 7 p.m. on Nov. 14, the night before the Georgia game.

[Thrilla]

I concur.  We have those three almost 7 footers on the team this year too...I expect to see an improved defense with lots of opponents shots thrown into the stands.

[Tarheel]

I like Lebo, and I personally think he is a good coach...which is why I am having a hard time understanding why we have sucked for so long. No more excuses this year. If Lebo doesn't have it turned around and we have MAJORLY improved...he needs to go.

I think this is a record for a basketball post from me this early in the year...man it sucks to have a shitty football team...

I could not agree with you more.

[chinook]

doesn't the basketball team usually shine when our football team is in the tank?

i'll have to break out the "meet the press" shirt from back in the day while a student at auburn. that shirt is at least 14 years old.  i'm cheap and getting old. wow!

[Saniflush]

that shirt is at least 14 years old.  i'm cheap and getting old. wow!

It happens.  Welcome.  Let me present you with a complimentary box of depends.

[AUTailgatingRules]

How did the exhibition against Morehouse go?

[Aubie16]

How did the exhibition against Morehouse go?

Tay Waller looked amazing. He was the only one that really stood out but he could be a great equalizer for us this year.

I am pretty excited to see what the team can do when Frankie Sullivan gets back from his injury. Aihe has got a long way to go in the middle but Knox and Aihe have a long way to go in the middle. Lett looked decent.

The biggest thing is Lucas Hargrave has worked incredibly hard in the weight room during the off-season. I couldn't believe how much bigger he had gotten. (which he needed to do, he was super skinny last year)

[Saniflush]

Tay Waller looked amazing. He was the only one that really stood out but he could be a great equalizer for us this year.

I am pretty excited to see what the team can do when Frankie Sullivan gets back from his injury. Aihe has got a long way to go in the middle but Knox and Aihe have a long way to go in the middle. Lett looked decent.

The biggest thing is Lucas Hargrave has worked incredibly hard in the weight room during the off-season. I couldn't believe how much bigger he had gotten. (which he needed to do, he was super skinny last year)

It is not nice to tease.

Do we have anyone to sign tomorrow or is it that bad?

[Tarheel]

It is not nice to tease.

Do we have anyone to sign tomorrow or is it that bad?

"Knock it off with them negative vibes, man!"

[Pell City Tiger]

It is not nice to tease.

Do we have anyone to sign tomorrow or is it that bad?

Here's our commit list

PF      JC      ***    Ken Gabriel  (Paris) Paris, TX 6-7/200       

SG    NR    ***    Earnest Ross (Panther Creek HS) Raleigh, NC    6-4/185    

SG    25     ****   Andre Malone (South Atlanta HS) Atlanta, GA   6-4/200

PF    NR       **   Robert Chubb (Montverde Academy) Montverde, FL  6-9/200