SAN ANTONIO — The top-seeded Tigers’ season came to an end Saturday evening inside of the Alamodome as conference foe, Florida defeated Auburn 79-73 with the help of a second half surge.
Take a look inside the locker room as players and coaches break down the season ending loss for Auburn.
HC Bruce Pearl:
Opening statement:
“I'm really proud of my team, how these guys made history, the best basketball team in the history of Auburn basketball. They gave us a ride that won't ever be forgotten. They did so many great things both on and off the court that I'm extremely proud of.
“Played beautiful basketball in the first half. We were prepared. We had a great game plan. They executed it really well. We only turned the ball over twice.
“Second half, Florida's effort and energy, the fact that we're not as deep as what we normally are, was a factor. I thought fatigue was a factor. As a result, we weren't able to maintain control of the game, which I think if we had taken care of the basketball a little bit, not turned it over, not given them easy ones, we could have been in position to win the basketball game.”
AHC Steven Pearl:
On rebuilding the roster for next season:
“The part that is really unfortunate is that we’re getting penalized for winning because there’s no if ands or buts about it we’re way behind in the portal right now. Obviously, we wouldn’t trade being here so we could go out and recruit like the teams we sent home last week or the week before.
“But there’s got to be some sort of change to how this is done because our situation is way different because we’re losing 10 guys. So like, we gotta replace an entire team. Teams that get to advance in this tournament and have to replace an entire roster like we do are going to be really impacted.”
On the fifth year seniors:
“They changed the trajectory of this program. It had kinda gotten started the two years prior to them but for them to come in and continue the momentum and obviously continue to take this team to new heights, you know, they’ve won three SEC championships, they went to a Final Four, Dylan is the winningest player in Auburn basketball history, you know, those guys there’s no one like them anymore.”
C Johni Broome:
On speaking with Charles Barkley postgame:
“He just thanked me for what I've done for Auburn. Told me to keep my head high. Coming from a guy who cemented himself in Auburn history means a lot.”
PG Denver Jones:
On guarding Walter Clayton Jr.:
“Honestly, just, you know what I'm saying, doing a lot of dribble handoffs, a lot of actions just run through him. Just constantly moving. I feel like that is just what gave me some of the looks he had tonight. Just a lot of hand-offs, a lot of drives. That's what it was.”
PG Tahaad Pettiford:
Thoughts on the team:
“How special this team was off the court. Just behind the scenes, the things people didn’t see. Just so locked and so close. Honestly, something you didn’t want to end.”
Overall thoughts on his freshman season:
“This season was amazing. Not a lot of freshmen get to have the experience that I had. Just to get to be around the people that I was, I’m just blessed to be on this team."
G Miles Kelly:
On spending his final season at Auburn:
“I have no regrets at all. I wouldn’t want to spend my last year of college basketball anywhere else. Making the decision to come here, I have a new family, man. New brothers for life. New family for life.”
G Chad Baker-Mazara:
Thoughts on the team:
“We all some dogs on this team. Been through injuries and lots of stuff but at the end of the day we gave it all we had and we came up short.”
Injury update (thumb):
“It was hurting so bad. When the lights shine no excuses go out there and leave it all and that’s what I tried to do.”
F Chris Moore:
Thoughts on this season:
“All the sacrifices we made. All the comradery. All the ups and downs we went through. If you were in the locker room you would know how proud I am of this team. We’ve come through so much. We overcame so much and man it was an amazing season and a hell of a run.”
PF Chaney Johnson:
Message from Pearl after the game:
“This season isn’t a wash. All this Call God stuff really means something, you know. So, win or lose, continue to give him all the glory. Still thankful that we got the opportunity to be here at the biggest stage in college basketball. So continue thanking him and not taking our relationship for granted.”
On the team’s second half performance:
“We just couldn’t get any stops. That’s really what it comes down to. If you want to win just get stops and rebounds.”
C Dylan Cardwell:
On his career at Auburn:
“It's bittersweet to end it this way knowing we left the national championship on the table. But being at Auburn has been the best five years of my life. I couldn't have chosen a greater university to have loved me back, just watch me grow from 18 to 23. I am the man I am because God let me come to Auburn.
“Man, the thing I'll take away most, just being an Auburn man, but just being a teammate, being a player for Bruce Pearl, but also being in the locker room with the best locker room in the country.
“I love these guys. I cherish every single moment, every single memory we made. That's my prayer all year: Lord, prolong our season. We just have so many great memories on and off the court. This is the funniest team I've ever been on, but most loving, caring and thoughtful team I've ever been on. I'll forever remember this team and hope we can stay in touch for the rest of our lives.”
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Patrick is a junior from Auburn, Alabama, double majoring in journalism and marketing. He started with The Plainsman in the fall of 2022.
You can follow him on X (Twitter) at @patrickabingham
