After one of the toughest early-season schedules in program history, No. 2 Auburn (11-1) will wrap up its non-conference slate Monday night at Neville Arena when the Tigers host Monmouth.

Despite the Hawks’ 2-10 record, Bruce Pearl knows they have a player who can make a difference.

“They have a great, great player in Abdi Bashir Jr., who is ninth nationally in scoring,” the Auburn coach said. “He has 30 points in games. He had 38 at Rutgers and 30 at Stephen F. Austin He ranks second nationally and averages four three-pointers per game.

The Tigers had a nine-day break to prepare for Monmouth after beating a good Purdue team in Birmingham on Dec. 21. This break will benefit players like Johni Broome, who surprisingly played in the win against the Boilermakers after suffering a shoulder injury against Georgia State. But Pearl knows the Tigers have to be ready to give their best despite the opponent.

“Staying humble, hungry and healthy is obviously the key,” he said.

Part of Monmouth’s resume comes from playing in tough competition at Colonial Athletic leading up to conference play. The Hawks traveled to Michigan State and Rutgers and got a good win at Seton Hall.

“They play an attractive style and their record kind of goes out,” Pearl noted.

As for Auburn, Pearl knows how well his team has played so far this season and hopes that continues after Monday night’s SEC game.

“From a reflection standpoint, we’re obviously playing good basketball on both ends of the court,” he said. “We share it. We’ll shoot it. I think we defend well. We throw the ball back a little better. Areas where we can continue to improve are transition offense and defense.”

Auburn and Monmouth meet at 5:30 p.m. CT, with the game airing on ESPN+/SEC Network+.