Still waiting to hear about the Alabama game. Is it posted somewhere? I read it was a great game.
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West Virginia vs Gonzaga is fun
Haven’t tried watching this yet, buy here ya go [meh, just a jumble of highlight cuts]
a PG, SG and mobile Center…I like it
Kansas has scored 11 straight to pull within 13 points of Missouri 57-44 with 10 minutes left.
Missouri is about to complete the total meltdown… Maybe not. 68-63 1:39 left.
The Horns are off to a rough start. Trailing UConn 42-24 in Austin, at the half.
Lost by 11.
I had the chance to attend the last two Auburn games. Tuesday, I watched Johni Broome hurt his shoulder and leave the court and go down the tunnell immidiately verses Ga. State. This was less than 3 minutes into the game (Auburn still won by 41 without their best player).
Then Saturday I watched Broome go off for 23 pts and 11 boards in 30 minutes to lead Auburn to an easy win over Purdue. The final was 87-69 but Purdue went on an 11-0 run against the scout team and walk ons in the last few minutes. While technically a neutral site game in Birmingham, Auburn had 80% of the fans there.
This team is special. Their team defense is stifling and they share the ball (averaging 19.2 assist on 32.3 made FG per game) like no team I remember seeing before in college. They wrap up non conference play Monday night against Monmoth. So far this season, they have played 7 quad one games and are 6-1. The lone loss was by six to Duke at Cameron Indoor. They have beaten Houston, Iowa State, UNC, Memphis, Ohio State and Purdue.
Since they come to Texas on January 4, let me give you a not so brief scouting report.
Johni Broome - The 6’10" grad student transfered in three years ago from Moorehead State - 6’10" 5th year senior who has blossomed at Auburn into a candidate for player of the year. Currently averaging a double double (18.5 Pts/11.5 boards) while leading the team with 3.3 assist per game. He is a lefty who has improved going to his right this year. Hard to stop down low.
Dylan Cardwell - 6’11" 5th year senior who is a defensive specialist. I saw him shut down Purdue’s point guard (Braden Smith) at the three point line. He can defend anyone. Not much of an offense threat away from the basket. He has more than 40 blocked shots each of the last three years. Sometimes tries to do too much defensively and gets into foul trouble.
Chad Baker Mazara - 6’7" stick figure from the Dominican Republic. Also a 5th year senior. 2nd year at Auburn after stints at Duquesne, San Diego State and North West Florida Community College (academic issues). He also was the one who was ejected in the Yale NCAA tourney game last year for a cheap shot. Appears to have matured (reportedly broke up the fight on the plane). Can do everything well. Against Purdue he had 8 points, 5 boards, 6 assist, 4 steals, and 2blocked shots. Broome is the star but Mazara is the catalyst that makes this team go. Also currently has a 35 straight FTs made streak going.
Denver Jones - 6’4" senior guard who transfered in from FIU two years ago. Was a 20 point a game scorer at FIU and has bought into Pearls defense first system. Will often be assigned the toughest guard duty. This year, he has also become the starting point guard. Shooting 44.6% from 3 and 2.7 assist per game. Quoted the outher day when asked about the reduction in scoring and minutes, “I just want to win championships”.
Miles Kelly - Senior Transfer from Georgia Tech. 6’4" shooting guard who has NBA range. Another shooter who has come to Auburn and learned to be a good defensive player as well and accept a reduction in minutes. Shooting 41.5% from 3
This has been the starting five for most of the year. But Pearl will sub a lot, regularly playing 11 or more players.
The guys who could be starting but come off the bench and play significant minutes:
Tajaad Pettiford - 6’1" freshman point guard from N.J. Averaging 2.9 assist per game and shooting 44.1% from 3. He can create as well. Hasn’t missed a FT yet (14 attempts). Has shown up big in the quad one games. Scored 21 v Houston, 14 v Iowa St., 10 V UNC, 20 v Duke and 18 v Purdue. May be starting soon.
Chaney Johnson - 6’7" Senior Forward who transfered in from Univ. Of Alabama Huntsville (D2) two years ago. Started figuring things out toward the end of last season and has been a key piece this season. He scored 26 in the game that Broome left early with the shoulder injury. One of the most likely to get into foul trouble.
Bench guys in the rotation:
Chris Moore - 6’6" forward, another 5th year senior. He and Cardwell are the only two upperclassmen who have spent their whole careers at Auburn. Called the “junk yard dog” by some for the energy he plays defense with. If there is a loose ball, he will be on the floor. Could have transfered out to get more minutes but stayed at Auburn. Not an offensive threat but does the little things. Get’s most minutes when Cardwell and C Johnson are both in foul trouble.
Jahki Howard - 6’6" freshman forward who is a freak athletically. He also was the guy who was involved in the plane “horse play”. Was suspended for several games and then took some time to get worked into the rotation. Has been called on more in the last four games. Stats are crazy but some of his points have come in garbage time. So the jury is out on him but very promising. He is seeing more and more time.
Ja’Heim “Turtle” Hudson - 6’7" forward. Senior who transfered in from SMU. The other one involved in the “horse play” on the plane. Not much action for him so far.
J. J. Pegues - Senior transfer from Furman. Was expected to be the starting PG but has been religated to garbage time.
Team Strengths - Inside outside game, moving without the ball, half court offense and defense, Out of bounds plays, switching on defense, rim protection and getting three point shooters off the line.
Team weaknesses - Transition offense and defense, Foul trouble for Johnson, Carwell and Pettiford.
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Auburn looked unstoppable against Missouri. 84 - 68
The UH Red Coogs totally dismantled the BYU Blue Cougs. 86 - 55
the Longhorns currently lead the Aggies 32 - 27 with 6:44 left in the first half.
Arizona, which has been off to an unusually rough start, upset #16 Cincinnati on the road earlier today.
I’ve yet to figure out what’s going on with AZ
Cincinnati looked good in non-conference but now 0-2 in the Big XII.
Looking forward to the Tennessee Auburn game. Barnes has his best team since 2005-2006
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I’ve only watched Texas this year, but heard BYU had one of the top recruits. Is he pretty good?
UH absolutely whips BYU by 30! BYU was averaging 85 points a game and were held to 55. It was one of the more complete defensive shutdowns I’ve seen under Sampson, and I’ve seen a lot. Just complete domination JV vs Varsity type game. Fun.
That’s a next year thing, he supposedly got some crazy NIL money.
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You and me both. Great roster, great coaches, but rather meh until this week.
Texas showed fight last night to come back from 21 down to get it to 3 near the end of the game.
Kaluma was on fire! Auburn couldn’t stop him. He scored 34 of Texas 82 points.
After what happened to Tennessee at Florida and Kentucky at Georgia, I am thrilled for Auburn to walk out of Moody with a W.
First time I’ve watched Houston all year. What a great game to pick.
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Coogs barely beat the refs, announcers, and the Kights/'Nauts,
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