NEW ORLEANS | Even on the fastest of fast tracks, Austin Wiley is still getting up to speed.
After graduating high school early, Wiley joined Auburn Dec. 16, played in his first game two days later and then started the next two games: wins over Oklahoma and UConn.
Now 12 days after enrolling, the 6-foot-11 center is set to play in his first conference game against Georgia.
“In that first game, he knew 10 percent of what we did. That was easy for him,” Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said. “He probably knows 40 percent of what we do. Maybe a little more but right in there.
“It’s interesting because now that he knows 30 percent more, he’s probably not able to do that 10 percent of stuff as well now that he knows 30 percent more than the 10 percent. So there’s a lot. He’s got a ton of catching up to do. You can see him thinking and hesitating.”
Wiley has averaged 7.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 17.7 minutes in the first three games. Pearl said he was able to take a big step forward this week by going through his first real practice Tuesday.
“He played three games without a live, contact practice. Everything was walk through, film and he did well,” Pearl said. “The concept was, let’s take what we do and let’s teach him what we do as best we can instead of saying, ‘Okay, now that we have Austin, let’s start doing a bunch of different things that nobody knows about to take advantage of him.’ I just don’t think that’s the way you can do that right now.
“We’ll start to add a little bit to be able to take advantage of what he can do while it still being important that he get caught up with us.”
Off to their best start in 14 years, the Tigers will host the Bulldogs in the SEC opener for both schools Thursday night. Auburn is 10-2 on the season, which is just one game away from matching its win total from a year ago.
Auburn is 5-1 in games decided by four points or less.
“To find a way to win is what it’s all about. The scratching and clawing and finding a way to win,” Pearl said. “Sometimes it can be your unlikeliest guy who stays right and stays ready and is able to contribute and that’s what really good teams are about when you get those unsung hero efforts and performances.”
Georgia is 8-4 on the season with losses at Clemson, at Kansas, Marquette and at Oakland. The Bulldogs are led by junior forward Yante Maten, who is averaging 19.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks, and senior guard J.J. Frazier, who is averaging 15.1 points, 4.3 assists and 1.6 steals.
“Those two guys are the best duo that we will have played this year,” Maten said. “Nobody has had two better players on the court at the same time than Frazier and Maten. Excellent rebounding and defense.
“We’ve really struggled in the halfcourt offense and they’ve really been good at halfcourt defense. They don’t give you many second shots and because they’re a good rebounding team, they’re a good transition offense team as well.”
Tip-off at the Auburn Arena is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT on ESPNU.
