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Auburn's all-time leading scorer Chuck Person (left), who flew in from coaching a team in South Korea, and former Auburn coach Sonny Smith share a laugh during Bruce Pearl's introduction as the new Auburn basketball coach on March 18, 2014, in the Auburn Arena in Auburn, Alabama. (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)

Dear Bruce,

We know you've got a million things to do to transition from talking about basketball at ESPN to coaching it at Auburn. As you know very well, it's not easy drumming up basketball love in a football state, but even though we may share a border, Alabama ain't Tennessee.

The Volunteer State didn't send a team to the last five BCS National Championship Games.

With that in mind, here are some friendly suggestions from someone who's been banging the drum for hoops for 30 years.

10. Play UAB every year.

Play the Blazers in Auburn the night before the Iron Bowl in Jordan-Hare Stadium, in Birmingham the night before the game in Tuscaloosa.

This accomplishes two things: 1.) It revives a terrific tradition from the 1980s, the golden age of basketball in the state of Alabama. 2.) It gives people a reason to talk about basketball before football season ends.

9. Schedule Coastal Carolina.

It won't necessarily help your RPI, but who wouldn't like to see Cliff Ellis on the sideline in Auburn again for a night? O

h, and have Sonny Smith sit on your bench that night as an honorary coach.

Any real success Auburn's had the last 30 years was authored by Smith and Ellis.

8. Kill the Iron Bowl trophy tradition.

The winner of the Auburn-Alabama football game gets a trophy at halftime of the next basketball game between the schools on the winner's campus. Ending that tradition might seem inconsistent with No. 3 below, but it's an old, cheap trick to try to get fans into the seats for a basketball game, at least for the first half.

If you're looking for cheap tricks, invent new ones.

7. Recruit by car.

People close to the program joke that Tony Barbee preferred to recruit by plane. Many of Auburn's greatest players - from Charles Barkley to Chuck and Wesley Person to Doc Robinson and Chris Porter - got there on a lot less than a full tank of gas.

We know you'll hit Atlanta hard. Don't forget about your new home state.

6. Retire the jersey of Henry Harris.

He was the first black player, not just at Auburn but in the Deep South portion of the SEC. His life ended far too soon, and he's never gotten the full recognition he earned as a true pioneer.

5. Bring back the old Hardwood Classic.

It was an inspired but short-lived idea, a one-day four-team pre-Christmas event in Birmingham at the BJCC Arena.

Partner with Alabama to meet two teams from another conference. If the Crimson Tide won't play along, get UAB involved. Anything to create some basketball buzz between the SEC Championship Game and the College Football Playoff.

4. Embrace Charles Barkley.

He's the most visible and outspoken cheerleader for Auburn basketball who actually played basketball at Auburn. Not every program has a former star player who's the most entertaining member of the most entertaining studio show on sports television.

Barkley has proven his love for his old school for years. Give him a little love in return.

3. Encourage Cam Newton to stay in school.

Get him to continue his Auburn education until he finishes his bachelor's degree and adds a master's and a doctorate. N

othing energizes a crowd in the Auburn Arena like a 6-foot-5, 250-pound cheerleader who brought the Tigers a national title and a Heisman.

See the 2013 Alabama game for reference.

2. Somehow, some way, get Chuck Person involved in the program.

His stature as Auburn's all-time leading scorer combined with his well-respected knowledge of the game and his well-established NBA ties would be invaluable. Not to mention, his quiet dignity would be the perfect complement to your bombastic energy.

1. Just win, baby.

It's been a long, long time since Marquis Daniels came thisclose to taking down Carmelo Anthony.