Being the No. 1 team in the country matters to Bruce Pearl, but the veteran head coach knows maintaining that spot is just as hard as getting there.

Auburn received the honor of the top spot in the AP Top 25 on Monday, but the Tigers have little time to celebrate before a ranked clash against No. 15 Mississippi State on Tuesday, a challenge they’ll face without All-American center Johni Broome.

“Our guys understand our focus right now is just trying to play great basketball,” Pearl said during his Monday afternoon news conference. “Trying to figure out, ‘How do we play without our best player?’ And the things we do. That’s really what our focus is.”

Without Broome, Pearl said Auburn probably isn’t the best team in the country right now, but believes the Tigers are the most deserving of the No. 1 ranking.

“I think it’s deserving, considering the schedule we’ve played and the teams that we’ve beaten — the great teams that we’ve beaten — and the job this team has done,” Pearl said.

It’s the second season in program history in which Auburn has been ranked No. 1, the first coming during the 2021-2022 campaign. The Tigers held the spot for three weeks with a team that featured first-round talent such as Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler.

Pearl said he felt like his team was the best in the country at that time, but doesn’t feel that way right now. However, Pearl said he feels even more deserving of the ranking now, “because of what these guys have done.”

Dylan Cardwell, one of two current Auburn players on the team in 2022, put an emphasis on not letting the No. 1 ranking change the team’s mentality.

“It really doesn’t change who we are, it doesn’t change our m.o.,” Cardwell said. “We have a lot of places to improve on: offensive rebounding, being more physical as a team… No. 1 is cool, but we can’t hang a banner for No. 1. That’s what I preach to these guys; I’ve been No. 1 before. It doesn’t really mean much, just a little number by our name.”

Chaney Johnson, a big man who will be looked upon more than usual with Broome out, was more reflective about the honor when asked on Monday.

“Just giving God all the glory because without him, I wouldn’t be here, we wouldn’t be able to have to his platform that we have today,” Johnson said. “I’m thankful to be part of a No. 1 team. I can tell that to my kids that I was part of Auburn’s No. 1-ranked team in the country. Definitely a blessing.”

Johnson is the most likely candidate to step into the starting lineup in Broome’s absence, taking his spot at the four.

Auburn’s defense of its No. 1 ranking begins Tuesday night, facing No. 15 Mississippi State at Neville Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will be streaming on SEC Network.

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