Ending Auburn's Tournament drought
AUBURN | Ronnie Johnson started his college career at Purdue, transferred to Houston for a season and will play his senior year at Auburn as a graduate transfer.
The Indianapolis, Ind., native made his final move for one main reason.
“I definitely just want to win,” Johnson said. “That's my main thing. I want to get to the Tournament. I've never been to the Tournament.”
Auburn hasn’t been to the NCAA Tournament in 14 years but Johnson believes this year’s team has a good enough mix of experience and talent to break that streak.
“We've got a lot of great players,” Johnson said. “We've got a lot of playmakers, I think, that can help others get their shots. We're really good and I'm looking forward to playing with everyone.”
In Auburn’s first scrimmage of the preseason, Johnson scored 17 points and had seven rebounds, four assists and three steals. He added 14 points, four rebounds, seven assists and two steals in the second one.
“He brings that experience, toughness and knows how to defend,” Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said. “He can get to the foul line. He wants the ball in big moments and will shoot the game-winner and make game-winning plays. He’s got a good work ethic, he’s a team player and he wants to win.
“He recognizes that he’s been at some places like Purdue where he's had more success than we have and he’s excited about trying to help us change that.”
Johnson’s strengths are probably driving into the lane and dishing out assists or finishing at the rim. He could also be described as a floor general.
“He's a veteran player. He knows when to attack the glass and when to pull it out and call the play. He's also a lockdown defender,” senior guard T.J. Dunans said.
Johnson has also worked to step in and become an important team leader.
“Trying to definitely lead and get guys to play hard. Everything else will take care of itself,” he said.
Auburn hosts Montevallo in an exhibition game Nov. 4. The regular season opens at Auburn Arena against North Florida Nov. 11.