Freeman Eyes Restricted Minutes to Open Season
Auburn big man Owen Freeman is expected to be available for Wednesday's season opener against Southeastern Louisiana after missing exhibition games with a foot injury.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Basketball
Auburn head coach Steven Pearl expects 6-foot-10 forward Owen Freeman to be available for the Tigers' season opener Wednesday at 7 p.m. CT at Neville Arena. Freeman, who missed the three exhibition games while recovering from a foot injury, is expected to play on restricted minutes.
Why it matters
Freeman is a former Big Ten Freshman of the Year whose health affects how Auburn fills its frontcourt after adding five frontcourt players this offseason. His availability will show how quickly the Tigers can rely on him as they open the season.
Freeman's scoring and rebounding averages dropped from his Iowa seasons to his Creighton season, with 26 appearances at Creighton last year. Auburn's game-day status for him remains uncertain.
The players
Steven Pearl
Steven Pearl is the head basketball coach at Auburn who expects Freeman to be available for the season opener.
Owen Freeman
Owen Freeman is a 6-foot-10 Auburn forward who transferred after two seasons at Iowa and one season at Creighton.
The details
Pearl said he would imagine Freeman playing Wednesday on restricted minutes, but the decision rests on a conversation after practice and Freeman's own feelings that day. Freeman missed Auburn's three exhibition games while recovering from a foot injury.
Timeline
2024: Freeman named Big Ten Freshman of the Year
Wednesday: Auburn season opener versus Southeastern Louisiana at 7 p.m. CT at Neville Arena
Season Trajectory
Freeman's transfer from Iowa to Creighton and then to Auburn reflects the frequent movement of frontcourt players in college basketball. His progress from a Big Ten award to a restricted opening role shapes how Auburn balances its newly added frontcourt depth.
Fans watching the opener will learn whether Freeman plays on restricted minutes or sits out the first game. The game streams on SEC Network+ for viewers who cannot attend in person at Neville Arena.
The takeaway
Freeman's return timeline will show how much Auburn can count on him early in the season. Watch the Wednesday opener for his minutes and role.
What happens next
Auburn's season opener against Southeastern Louisiana is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT on Wednesday at Neville Arena, and the game will stream on SEC Network+.
Further reading
Read more about Auburn Basketball for the latest on the Tigers' roster and season plans.
