Auburn finishes non-conference basketball schedule

AUBURN -- Bruce Pearl's first non-conference slate on the Plains is set.

Auburn will host Winthrop, Pearl told the Advertiser, completing the Tigers' schedule of 12 non-conference games with Division I opponents.

The Tigers hold a 3-1 record all-time against the Eagles, though Winthrop won the last meeting in the series in 2012.

Auburn had an open date on Jan. 3, but Pearl said the Winthrop game is not on that date. The Tigers may play a Division II opponent, which would not affect their RPI, on that date to have a 13-game non-conference schedule.

Auburn's only other non-conference opponent without a set date announced is Texas Southern. The school hopes to release the full non-conference schedule this week.

Winthrop went 20-13 last season, its first 20-win season in six years, with an RPI of 174. The Eagles lost to Coastal Carolina and former Auburn coach Cliff Ellis in the Big South Conference tournament finals.

"You schedule those teams because those team can challenge you and those teams are going to have a chance to make the tournament again," Pearl said. "As a result, it'll help our RPI. … They're not bottom-feeders."

Winthrop coach Pat Kelsey is 34-30 in his two years with the program. He received a new contract through 2019 earlier this month.

Coastal Carolina is also coming to Auburn this season, as part of a three-game agreement that has Auburn going on the road in 2015.

2014-15 Auburn basketball non-conference schedule

Nov. 14: Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Nov. 17 (18 local): at Colorado
Nov. 21: Louisiana-Lafayette
Nov. 24: Tulsa at MGM Main Event
Nov. 26: Oklahoma State or Oregon State at MGM Main Event
Dec. 3: at Texas Tech
Dec. 5: Coastal Carolina
Dec. 14: at Clemson
Dec. 20: Xavier
Dec. 29: Middle Tennessee
Jan. 3: Opponent TBA (Division II team possible)
TBA: Winthrop
TBA: Texas Southern