Auburn is only six days from its first exhibition game, and Kevin Overton sounds like a player ready to show that last season was just the start.
Overton already put his name on the map by winning Most Outstanding Player honors in the NIT, but he says his game has taken another step since then. The biggest jump, in his view, has come with the ball in his hands.
“I think I picked up my game a lot,” he said. “Things here and there.
My ball handling is way better than it was last year because I’m more high usage now. Obviously, with no Keyshawn Hall.
That’s a big part of our offense that we don’t have now, so me and [Tahaad Pettiford] have a heavier load.”
That added responsibility makes sense after the season he just put together. Overton averaged 14.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists last season, and his role grew as the year went on. Even with Auburn leaning heavily on Hall offensively, Overton was one of the Tigers’ most reliable pieces.
His NIT run was where he really took over. In the title game against Tulsa, he poured in 26 points on 7-of-13 shooting and knocked down 5-of-8 from deep. Before that, he had another huge night against Illinois State, going a perfect 5-for-5, with every make coming from three-point range.
For Overton, though, the offseason work has gone beyond ball handling. He says there’s another layer he’s trying to bring together as Auburn prepares for the new season.
“More playmaking overall,” Overton said of himself. “I think that’s my last wrinkle.
And then putting together what I built in all my years of college. I think me, defensively, just being able make plays, being able to guard best players, things like that, and then putting it together on the offensive end.
I think we’ll see me come all together this year.”
He’ll have a chance to back that up soon enough. Overton had one of his best games last season against Alabama, finishing with 24 points and five rebounds in Auburn’s 96-84 loss to the Tide. Now he gets another shot at them on October 22 in Birmingham, Alabama.
First, though, comes the season debut. Auburn is scheduled to face Florida State next Wednesday, October 14, at 7:00 p.m. CT.
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