Pearl’s plan for No. 3 point guard

ALEX CITY | Sophomore Jared Harper will be in a tight battle with freshman Davion Mitchell for the starting point guard position this season. But what if one of them is injured or has to miss a game or two or more?

Auburn coach Bruce Pearl already has a backup plan in mind.

“Bryce Brown will be our third ball handler,” Pearl said. “Bryce is a wing, Bryce is a scorer, but Bryce wants to be able to combo some. Depending on Davion and Jared and how both are doing, I don't know how much pure point guard Bryce will play.”

Auburn’s had some recent issues at the point guard position that caused Pearl to come up with some unique solutions. Injuries to Tahj Shamsid-Deen and T.J. Dunans along with Kareem Canty leaving the team during the 2015-16 season, forced Pearl to use walk-on Patrick Keim and 6-foot-7, 278-pound forward Cinmeon Bowers at point guard.

Dunans served as Auburn’s third point guard last season but both Harper and Ronnie Johnson were able to stay relatively healthy throughout the season limiting Dunans time at the position.

Brown has started 24 games at shooting guard the past two seasons, making a team-best 134 3-pointers during that span.

“It's interesting,” Pearl said. “He played some point guard this spring and while he's wanted to play the position because he's the size of a pro point guard, he didn't like the fact that he had to set the offense and he had to get the ball to everybody else. He realized, 'Wow, I'm just out here setting the table.' He said, 'Coach, can I go back to the wing where I can score?’

“But my confidence in Bryce's training and his decision making and tightening up his ball handling is the reason why we've not used that 12th or 13th scholarship for an eligible student athlete because I think Bryce can handle that role.”

Pearl had originally considered signing a combo guard in the spring period but instead signed a physical JUCO wing in Malik Dunbar, who should bolster Auburn’s defense and provide depth at the two and three positions.

Pearl may fill the Tigers’ remaining two scholarships with D-I transfers or hold them over for a future class.