Over the course of a grueling Southeastern Conference slate, injuries are almost a given at some point.

Auburn men’s basketball has had especially bad injury luck this season, losing multiple starters at different points of the season. All-American forward Johni Broome missed two games due to an ankle sprain and starting point guard Denver Jones recently missed Auburn’s loss to Texas A&M due to a soft tissue injury in his ankle.

Starting wing Chad Baker-Mazara never missed a game but dealt with injuries during the second half of conference play. He spent a few games out of the starting lineup, including Auburn’s win at Alabama.

Entering the SEC Tournament, Auburn gets a long, six-day break between games, giving the team a chance to rest and recover from the regular season.

“I think we’re coming into it pretty healthy, to be honest with you,” Pearl said when previewing the tournament Wednesday. “I think Denver is probably, feels a little bit better. Chad probably feels a little bit better. Johni is getting back to 100% so you’re right, not to discount any of those injuries, but I do feel like, gosh, we could be in a lot worse shape.”

Auburn won’t know its first opponent until Thursday afternoon, causing Pearl to use practice for self-improvement. However, he added that “the coaches are quietly working on scouting reports” for South Carolina, Arkansas and Ole Miss, Auburn’s potential quarterfinal opponents.

“We took Sunday off, and we worked Monday, Tuesday, and now here Wednesday, just on us,” Pearl said. “We’ve just really been working on us.”

Auburn’s SEC Tournament quarterfinal game against either South Carolina, Arkansas or Ole Miss is scheduled for noon Friday. The game will be televised on ESPN.

Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkus or email him at [email protected]m