Auburn basketball's Bruce Pearl ahead of Alabama game: 'We've got some dudes, too'

With Alabama coming to Neville Arena for a matchup with Auburn basketball on Saturday, the Tigers are about to be given their toughest test of the season.

Between freshman phenom Brandon Miller, veteran guard Mark Sears and other newcomers like first-year forward Noah Clowney, the Crimson Tide has one of the most talented teams in the country. That's evidenced by the No. 3 ranking Alabama (21-3, 11-0 SEC) holds from both the AP Top 25 Poll and the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, as well as the No. 2 slotting it boasts in both KenPom and the NET.

Auburn (17-7, 7-4) coach Bruce Pearl doesn't want his roster's talent overlooked, though.

"We've got some dudes, too," Pearl said live during ESPN's "College GameDay" on Saturday. "Wendell Green is the best little point guard in college basketball. Johni Broome can score at the rim. Jaylin Williams is an X-factor. Allen Flanigan's a bad boy. We've got dudes too."

BRANDON MILLER:ESPN's Seth Greenberg compares Alabama basketball's Brandon Miller to Kevin Durant

WHAT ANALYSTS THINK:What ESPN's Seth Greenberg, LaPhonso Ellis think Auburn basketball must do to beat Alabama

SCOUTING ALABAMA:Auburn basketball vs. Alabama: Our scouting report, score prediction

Pearl is confident in his team, but he's also aware of the caliber of opponent that's coming into Neville Arena.

"The messaging tonight is we've got a chance to beat the No. 2 team in the country, maybe the best team in the country," Pearl said. "How many road games is Alabama going to play this year? They're going to play 11 games, they've only lost to Oklahoma and they beat Houston on the road. ...

"Now listen, I think they're the best team in college basketball. They protect the rim, they can shoot the ball, Nate (Oats) does a great job. But this is a special place, and we've got the best home-court advantage in all of college basketball in The Jungle. We've got to make something special happen here tonight."

The Tigers and Crimson Tide will tip off Saturday (1 p.m. CT, ESPN).

Richard Silva is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser/USA TODAY. He can be reached via email at rsilva@gannett.com or on Twitter @rich_silva18.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Auburn: Bruce Pearl ahead of Alabama game: 'We've got some dudes, too'