GAME NOTES: A late tip is on tap at the Coors Event Center on Monday night, as the Auburn Tigers and the Colorado Buffaloes face off as part of the annual Tip-Off Marathon.

Auburn began its new era in fine fashion on Friday night. In Bruce Pearl's debut as head coach, the Tigers came from behind to defeat the reigning Horizon League champion Milwaukee on their home floor, 83-73. They'll play five of their next seven games away from home.

Colorado also got the new season started off on the right foot at home on Friday night by making easy work of Drexel, 65-48. Since Tad Boyle took over as coach prior to the 2010-11 season, the Buffs have never lost a non- conference game in November (16-0) and they have won 19 straight non- conference home games.

In the only previous meeting between the teams back in November of 1996, Colorado defeated Auburn, 78-72.

The Tigers' winning outlook appeared slim trailing by 12 midway through the second half, but they ripped off a 19-2 run over the next five minuets to take control of the contest. After shooting less than 40 percent from the field in the first half, Auburn improved to 54.2 percent after halftime, and its commanding scoring advantage at the foul line (28-6) also played a big part in capturing the win. KT Harrell led the way with 20 points and also chipped in on defense with three steals. Antoine Mason, the nation's leading scorer last season at Niagara (25.6 ppg), scored 19 points in his Auburn debut. Cinmeon Bowers was a monster in the paint with 18 points and 17 rebounds, and KC Ross- Miller scored 13 points off the bench.

The Buffs were far from their best on the offensive end of the floor in the opener, as they shot a modest 42.3 percent from the field (including just 4- of-13 from 3-point range), but luckily that was more than enough in a 17-point victory, as they held Drexel to a lowly 29.1 percent field goal shooting in a game they led wire-to-wire. Josh Scott as outstanding in the paint, shooting 8-of-11 from the field for 21 points to go with 11 rebounds and three blocks. Wesley Gordon added nine points off the bench, and Colorado showed great lineup balance with eight players logging at least 19 minutes.

Auburn appears to have the scoring prowess to make most of its games interesting, but the Buffs' home success early in the season speaks for itself. Expect Colorado to be the one moving to 2-0.