Auburn basketball head coach Bruce Pearl recently provided the latest news on two key storylines that have attracted the attention of Auburn fan base.
Pearl talked to the media this week at the Jimmy Rane Foundation’s annual fundraising event, and updated Auburn’s “Big” pursuit and Tahaad Pettiford’s position in the NBA draft. During the offseason, Auburn added Juco Center Emeka Opurum during the offseason and could use the transfer of Mississippi State Keshawn Murphy as the center if needed. However, Pearl believes that adding another player, especially in this position, will aggregate his roster next season. He said he felt close to landing his "big guy".
"I'm confident we'll have more big ones," Pearl said. "We think we have a chance."
Auburn hosted several key names, most recently Louisville transfer James Scott. However, Scott eventually chose Ole Miss, bringing Auburn back to the drawing board. New homes have been found in most transfer portal centers, but players such as Malcolm Wilson and Lafayette Center, justin Vander Baan, still have no promises. Ven-Allen Lubin of North Carolina and Isaiah Hawthorne of North Colorado will also stay on the portal if Pearl chooses a route to go forward to meet its needs.
Another major title of the Pearl discussion is the barrier to Tahaad Pettiford's status. Pettiford turned his head this week in the NBA draft, most notably when he scored 23 points and scored eight assists in the melee part of the game. Pettiford said he would return to Auburn if his assessment does not turn to first-round results, while Pearl said he was working on a plan to fill Pettiford's shoes if he left the plains after a season. Pearl says fans can bet on Pettyford and if he returns, he plays a bigger role in the starting spin.
"If he decides to go back to Auburn, we're going to be a better team," Pearl said. "If he comes back, he'll have more stuff. I think he's looking forward to that possibility - I'm going to let him do more so he can show more."
Auburn competed in the second final four games in last season’s fourth game history and hoped to return for the third time this season’s Pearl Age. But challenges will arise as Pearl hopes to replace his entire starting five, and the possibility of replacing the Tigers’ crucial backup player Pettiford. Once Auburn lands on its final transfer portal and Pettiford makes a decision about his future, the photo will become clearer.
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