Auburn and the University of Memphis will square off in a highly anticipated exhibition basketball game on October 30 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. The showcase will begin with a women’s game, kicking off a thrilling night of top-tier college basketball.
On October 30, college basketball fans will be treated to a rare and electrifying preseason showdown as the University of Memphis and Auburn University go head-to-head in a high-level exhibition game at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. The contest, which is already generating significant buzz across the basketball community, promises not only high-caliber play from two elite programs but also a unique neutral-site atmosphere that adds to the anticipation. Set in the heart of Atlanta, one of the South’s premier basketball cities, this event has all the ingredients to be a spectacle, even before the regular season begins.
The evening will begin with a women’s basketball game that will highlight talent and depth from both schools, giving fans a full slate of competition. This doubleheader format allows both programs to showcase their men’s and women’s squads on a prominent stage, setting a celebratory tone for the upcoming season. As excitement builds, the Auburn-Memphis men’s matchup will headline the night, featuring rosters loaded with returning stars, rising underclassmen, and highly touted recruits who are looking to make early statements.
Memphis, under head coach Penny Hardaway, comes into the contest with a roster that has been steadily built through a mix of strong recruiting classes and savvy transfers. Hardaway, known for his NBA pedigree and deep Memphis roots, has injected fresh energy into the Tigers’ program over the last few seasons. His teams are known for playing fast-paced, aggressive basketball, and this year’s squad is expected to be no different. The Tigers have brought in several impact players through the transfer portal, and a handful of returning veterans are expected to take the next step in their development. Their exhibition clash with Auburn offers an early litmus test against another nationally respected program.
On the other side, Auburn, led by Bruce Pearl, is coming off yet another strong season and continues to solidify its reputation as one of the premier programs in the SEC. Pearl has developed a winning culture built on toughness, defense, and high-energy play. The Tigers have become regular contenders in the NCAA tournament conversation, and their fanbase expects nothing less than excellence each year. With a blend of returning contributors and new additions, Auburn’s 2025 squad enters the season with high expectations and a hunger to prove itself from the outset.
This exhibition game is more than just a glorified scrimmage—it’s a battle between two powerhouses, both of which are aiming to set the tone for what they hope will be deep postseason runs. For Auburn, the game represents a valuable opportunity to test their rotation, work through lineup combinations, and gauge how their new faces mesh with the returning core. For Memphis, it’s a measuring stick that will show just how ready they are to compete on the national stage against a team known for its physicality and depth.
The decision to hold the game in Atlanta is significant in itself. State Farm Arena, home to the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, offers a professional-grade venue with the capacity and amenities to host a major basketball event. The neutral-site location is accessible to fans from both Memphis and Auburn, and the city’s basketball culture adds an electric backdrop to the contest. For players, many of whom have aspirations of playing professionally, competing in such an arena is both motivational and symbolic—it’s a chance to shine under the bright lights in front of scouts, fans, and national media.
Another compelling element of this matchup is the contrast in coaching styles. Penny Hardaway brings a player-focused, modern NBA influence to his approach. His offensive schemes emphasize spacing, ball movement, and individual creativity. In contrast, Bruce Pearl’s coaching philosophy emphasizes discipline, defense, and transition play. The clash of these styles is expected to produce a dynamic, fast-paced game filled with runs, adjustments, and moments of individual brilliance.
In a time when preseason matchups are often scheduled for strategic or logistical reasons, this exhibition stands out for its competitive intent. Both programs are using this opportunity to prepare their teams for the gauntlet of conference play and beyond. The game also serves to elevate the visibility of college basketball during a part of the calendar that is often dominated by football. By pitting two well-respected programs against each other in a high-profile setting, the event adds excitement and intrigue for fans who are eager for the return of college hoops.
Beyond the court, the event also serves as a community builder and recruiting tool. For high school prospects in the Atlanta area and beyond, witnessing a matchup of this caliber live can be a powerful experience. Both Auburn and Memphis recruit heavily in the South, and playing in Atlanta gives both programs a platform to showcase their style of play and program culture to a vital recruiting base. The visibility this game provides could pay dividends down the line in the form of commitments from elite prospects who see themselves thriving in either system.
It’s also worth noting that exhibition games like this one allow coaches to experiment without the pressure of a regular-season result hanging in the balance. While both teams will undoubtedly be playing to win, they’ll also use the opportunity to test schemes, rotations, and new players in a competitive but consequence-free environment. The results on the scoreboard may be secondary to the developmental insights each coaching staff walks away with.
Fans attending the event will be treated to more than just basketball—they’ll be part of an experience. Between the venue, the atmosphere, and the level of competition, the night promises to be memorable. Whether you’re a lifelong Tigers or Tigers (in Auburn’s case) fan, a college basketball junkie, or a casual sports lover looking for a night of entertainment in Atlanta, this doubleheader is set to deliver.
While there won’t be any official implications for March Madness in the result, make no mistake: this game matters. Players will be competing hard for minutes and respect, coaches will be seeking to fine-tune their squads, and fans will be evaluating what to expect as the regular season looms. In many ways, these are the games that lay the foundation for championship-caliber seasons. They allow programs to test their metal, identify weaknesses, and build momentum—all without the fear of a loss counting against their record.
In terms of player storylines, expect to see several breakout performances. For Memphis, a few transfers are expected to make immediate impacts and could use this stage to show their value. For Auburn, watch for their highly touted freshman class and returning upperclassmen to assert themselves as team leaders. Whether it’s a highlight dunk, a clutch three-pointer, or a lockdown defensive stretch, moments from this game could be talked about for weeks to come.
As both programs continue to ascend in the national conversation, this kind of exhibition game represents a step forward in how schools approach preparation and exposure. The willingness to schedule a tough opponent in a neutral venue speaks volumes about the confidence and ambition of both programs. It shows a desire not just to win games, but to embrace challenges, improve through adversity, and build programs that thrive on competition.
With the 2025 college basketball season inching closer, the Auburn vs. Memphis exhibition game at State Farm Arena stands as one of the most anticipated preseason events on the calendar. It’s not just a warm-up—it’s a preview of what’s to come. Two top-tier programs, a world-class venue, and a basketball-hungry crowd all combine to create a night that promises excitement, intensity, and a glimpse into the future of the sport.
October 30 can’t come soon enough.
