Tahaad Pettiford has stepped up for the Tigers. (David Gray/Auburn Tigers)
This week, Cooper Flagg put up another huge game in what was likely his last game at home for Duke; Rick Pitino continues to turn around the St. John’s program, now ranked sixth in the country; and Kansas’s Zeke Mayo says he was the target of social media hate posts after he struggled in Saturday’s loss. Some other college basketball stories we’re following include…
Auburn’s Defense Suffers Rare Setback
If we thought last season was a great bounce back effort for the Auburn Tigers, then 2024-25 has been through the roof. This is the top ranked team in the country and enjoying its best season since the late ’50s.
However, the Tigers are not untouchable. On Tuesday, 22nd-ranked Texas A&M surprised just about everyone by not only winning but dropping 83 points on an Auburn D that came in 10th in adjusted defensive efficiency.
Thus ended the Tigers’ six-game win streak in its first road loss in SEC play this season.
Don’t blame freshman guard Tahaad Pettiford for this one as he was among Auburn’s top performers. Starting the game with Denver Jones (leg) sidelined, Pettiford scored a team-high 19 points on six treys with two boards and a block on Tuesday. Pettiford has really come into his own down the stretch; that’s two straight games of 19 points or more and five straight with at least two rebounds.
He’s had a solid first season, showing proficiency from beyond the arc (and streakiness), although he needs to do a better job of protecting the ball. Pettiford is considered a tremendous athlete given his ability to blast by defenders with his elite first step and quickness. Think of him as a Brandon Jennings type.
Pettiford could be a second round pick either this or next year, but he’s got size and strength working against him, and will likely take some time before he’s ready to make an impact in the NBA.
Bryant Bullish On Getting Back in Tourney
Two seasons ago, the Bryant Bulldogs won just 17 games, but have been on the rise since. Last season, they went 20-13 and at 20-11 this season, they took home their first American East regular season title and are the fave to win the conference tourney (+100 as per FanDuel). If Bryant does win it, it will punch its ticket for just its second NCAA Tourney appearance ever and first since 2021-22.
On Tuesday, the Bulldogs wrapped up their regular season with a third straight win, led as usual by top scorer Rafael Pinzon. The senior guard has been inconsistent lately, and while his 17 points led the team and he added five boards and two steals, he shot just 7-of-18. Pinzon failed to score even 18 points in four of his last five games, so isn’t exactly on a tear heading into the conference tourney.
Still, the former St. Johns’ player really emerged after transferring to Bryant two years ago, and has gotten better and better over time. He logged major minutes and got way more touches – especially from deep — this season, putting up career bests almost across the board while posting a steal per game for the first time.
Pinzon is not an NBA draft candidate, but perhaps a big show in tourney play can help him get a look from an overseas pro circuit.
RotoRob Tune of the Day
Upright jazz bassist and composer Charles Mingus was at the heart of the improvisation movement. In 1976, he released Cumbia & Jazz Fusion, which as the title suggests is a combination of Columbian music with traditional jazz. Here’s the title track.