Coach Bruce Pearl and Auburn lost two stars to the NBA from what he considered college basketball's best frontcourt.
So, the Tigers did what most college programs are doing: They turned to the transfer portal. Auburn filled the gaping voids left by likely first-round picks Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler with a former LSU commitment and then a key NCAA transfer portal pickup. Problem, presumably, solved.
“All of a sudden, the season’s over and you’re down two first-round picks on the front line,” Pearl said.
It's one example among many in a new world of college basketball.