Auburn Faces Michigan with New TNT Commentary Team

LAS VEGAS — Auburn‘s basketball matchup against Michigan on Tuesday will have a familiar face in the commentary team. Former Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl will be joining TNT’s broadcast team for this game, marking his first appearance as a color commentator since he retired.

Pearl will team up with play-by-play announcer Brian Anderson, analyst Grant Hill, and sideline reporter Lauren Jbara during the game, which is set to tip off at 7:30 p.m. CT. Auburn opens their tournament at the Players Era Festival against Oregon before the high-stakes game against Michigan.

The Players Era Festival has expanded this year, with the promise of NIL payments for players, a new twist on showcasing talent. Auburn’s participation in this event signals a new chapter in their basketball journey.

This is a significant period for Auburn, especially following their success in last year’s Maui Invitational, where they faced strong competition. Pearl has expressed enthusiasm at the prospect of facing Michigan again, highlighting it as a valuable test early in the season.

“It’s a great litmus test early in the year to kind of see where we’re at,” Pearl said. “Now, with 10 new guys going out to Players Era, it’s great opportunities.”

Auburn’s recent performance shows promise, narrowly losing to Houston recently. As they prepare to take on Oregon and Michigan, players like Elyjah Freeman are eager for the challenge, emphasizing their commitment during the offseason.

“We’ve been prepping all summer and all fall, just getting ready for this time to play all these great teams,” Freeman said. “I’m looking forward to playing some good basketball.”

The Tigers hope to build on their experience in Las Vegas and establish themselves as a competitive force this season.