Auburn’s got a big test coming up this weekend - and they’ll need every weapon in the arsenal when they take on No. 6 Purdue in Indianapolis.
The good news? It looks like Kevin Overton is trending in the right direction after an injury scare last week.
Overton missed most of the Tigers’ win over UT-Chattanooga, but according to associate head coach Steven Pearl, the junior guard has been back on the practice floor and is expected to suit up Saturday.
“Yeah, he practiced Monday and Tuesday,” Pearl said. “Still getting treatment on it every day.
You can tell he’s favoring it a little, but not a ton. He’ll be fine and good to go on Saturday.”
That’s a sigh of relief for Auburn fans - and for a team that’s going to need all the perimeter help it can get against a disciplined, physical Purdue squad. Overton, a Texas Tech transfer, has been a steady contributor in his first season on the Plains.
Through 11 games, he’s averaging 10.6 points and 3.2 rebounds while shooting just under 39% from the field. He’s brought energy, length, and a needed scoring punch to the backcourt - especially after the departure of Miles Kelly left a hole in the rotation.
Against Chattanooga, though, it was clear something wasn’t right. Pearl noticed Overton wasn’t moving the way he normally does - particularly on the defensive end.
“He just got hit on screens a few times and just stopped,” Pearl explained. “Where most times he would make multiple efforts to get to his man, and he just couldn't do it. We needed to shut him down in the second half just because I don’t think he could be the best version of himself out there.”
That decision paid off in the short term - Auburn still rolled to a 92-78 win - but it also gave Overton a chance to rest up ahead of a much tougher matchup. Purdue brings size, depth, and experience, and Auburn will need Overton’s two-way presence to help counter that.
On a team that prides itself on defensive intensity, Overton’s impact goes beyond the box score. Teammate Elyjah Freeman made it clear just how much the Tigers rely on him.
“He's just getting back on track and finding his shot,” Freeman said. “We probably need him the most on defense.”
That’s high praise - and a reminder of the kind of edge Overton brings when he’s healthy. At 6-foot-5, he’s got the frame to switch across multiple positions, and he’s shown a knack for disrupting passing lanes and contesting shots without fouling.
Offensively, he’s still finding consistency, but the confidence is there. When he’s in rhythm, he gives Auburn another scorer who can create his own shot - something they’ll absolutely need against a Purdue team that doesn’t give up much easily.
Saturday’s showdown is one of those early-season litmus tests that can tell you a lot about where a team stands. For Auburn, having Overton back - even if he’s not quite 100% - could be the difference between hanging tough and pulling off something bigger.