VIDEO: Muschamp introductory press conference
Watch Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn and newly hired defensive coordinator Will Muschamp discuss the latter's recent hiring.
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Watch Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn and newly hired defensive coordinator Will Muschamp discuss the latter's recent hiring.
The hunt for Will Muschamp kept the Auburn fanbase on the edge of its seat for 13 days. Rumors swirled of a potential head coaching job at Houston or even taking over as defensive coordinator at South Carolina. But in the end, it wasn't a tough decision for Muschamp on where he'd be coaching in 2015. "This is a very easy decision for us to have the opportunity to come back to Auburn, which we think is a very special place," Muschamp said. "We're certainly back to be a part of the family." The decision may have been easy, but Muschamp is now tasked with revamping a defense that allowed more than 30 points in the final six SEC games this season. The Tigers are 61st in the nation in total defense this season and finished 87th nationally in 2013, creating a perception that it's difficult to field a top-tier defense alongside a "Hurry Up, No Huddle" offense. Muschamp, whose defenses ranked in the top 10 nationally during five years as a SEC defensive coordinator, dismissed this notion, stating that the difference in plays is not as vast as some believe. "Last year at Auburn, they averaged 72 plays per game offensively," Muschamp said. "At the University of Florida, we averaged 70. There's a huge difference sometimes between perception and reality." An area of focus for Muschamp will be along the defensive line. The Tigers are 95th nationally in total sacks this season and allowed 197 rushing yards per game in their final six conference games. Muschamp complimented the strength of Auburn's front seven, and said he is looking forward to working with a number of players he recruited at Florida. "Especially in this division, you better win the line of scrimmage, or you're not going to have a chance," Muschamp said. "So in terms of that, you've got to be able to stop the run." From a coaching standpoint, Muschamp said little has changed in the seven years since he left The Plains. "From the standpoint of basic fundamentals, we're never going to change," Muschamp said. "Give me great effort, have a great attitude when you get on the field and give me great energy." Head coach Gus Malzahn said Muschamp was the perfect fit for the position, hitting "all the above" in their search criteria. "After I decided to make a change, my goal was to go out there and get the best defensive coordinator in the country," Malzahn said. "I also wanted a class guy. A true professional. Will fit all of the above." Malzahn singled out Muschamp's energy as a defining characteristic of his coaching style. "I love his energy," Malzahn said. "You know, I'm an energy guy, too. I was really wanting someone who had great energy and intensity to really have that defense take on his personality." The dynamic between Malzahn and Muschamp will be interesting considering the latter's recent stint as a head coach in the SEC. That said, Muschamp said he is merely considered with winning championships, no matter if it's as a head coach or a coordinator. "It's not about being a head coach," Muschamp said. "I'd rather be defensive coordinator at Auburn and have a chance to win championships."
A discussion of this week in Auburn sports.
Senior shooting guard KT Harrell scored 17 points, but no other Tiger scored more than six points as Auburn fell to Texas Tech 46-44 Wednesday night in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech guard Devaugntah Williams drove to the basket and hit the game-winning layup with 2.2 seconds left. A full-court heave from the Tigers (3-3) bounced off the rim and backboard before flying harmlessly away. Forward Cinmeon Bowers recorded four points and eight rebounds, failing to record a double-double for the second consecutive game after posting double-doubles in his first four games as a Tiger. Jordon Granger was Auburn's second leading scorer, hitting two 3's on the night. Guards Tahj Shamsid-Deen and TJ Lang scored five points each. The Tigers will return home Friday, Dec. 5, to take on Coastal Carolina. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT.
Ellis Johnson's tenure as Auburn defensive coordinator has come to an end, per a release from Auburn Sunday night. Johnson's replacement will be tasked with fixing a defense that allowed 30 points or more in the Tigers' final six SEC games this season. Auburn has a history of hiring former head coaches as defensive coordinator. Its last three, Johnson, Ted Roof and Brian Van Gorder, were a combined 9-65 at their most recent head coaching position. We as the sports staff of The Auburn Plainsman have compiled a list of potential replacements for Auburn's defensive coordinator. All but one of the names on our list is a former head coach who is currently without a job or could be without a job due to varying circumstances.\0x200B Will Muschamp (former Florida head coach, 28-22 overall record) Even though his stint at Florida was unsuccessful, Muschamp is definitely the main candidate for this position in the eyes of the fans. Muschamp began his coaching career as a linebacker's coach under Nick Saban at LSU, and was quickly promoted to defensive coordinator. In his second year as coordinator, LSU led the nation in scoring defense and total defense, and the Bayou Bengals won the BCS National Championship. He then followed Saban to the Miami Dolphins as his defensive coordinator for a season, but returned to the college game as Auburn's defensive coordinator. In his two seasons at Auburn, Muschamp's defenses were top 10 nationally in total defense and led the SEC. He was a fan favorite also, as his energy was contagious to players and fans. Muschamp then was hired as the defensive coordinator at Texas, where he became one of the hottest head coach prospects in the country. After three seasons, he was hired as the head coach at Florida. Muschamp would be a home run hire for Auburn. One of the main problems for Auburn's defense has been its lack of discipline, something that Muschamp's fiery personality will be able to solve. Also, he's a proven commodity as an SEC coordinator, with success at multiple programs. By: Andrew Monson | Sports Writer _______________________________________ Bo Pelini (Former Nebraska head coach, 67-27 overall record) In a stunning move by the Nebraska front office, head coach Bo Pelini was fired on Sunday after seven seasons with the team. Pelini leaves Nebraska with a 67-27 overall record and had won at least nine games every season. It was a move that angered players and fans of Nebraska but could be seen as a blessing for Auburn. When Pelini was hired as defensive coordinator for the Cornhuskers in 2003, he improved a defense that was ranked 55th nationally the year before to 11th and led the country in turnover margin. In 2004, he was a co-defensive coordinator for the Oklahoma Sooners team that went to the BCS National Championship game against the USC Trojans and was the sixth-ranked rushing defense and 11th-ranked scoring defense. Pelini earned the Nebraska job as a defensive coordinator came during his tenure with the LSU Tigers. For each of his three years as defensive coordinator LSU was ranked third in overall defense and even managed to win the 2008 BCS National Championship game with a 38-24 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes. By: Pierce Quinn | Sports Writer _______________________________________ Manny Diaz (Defensive coordinator, Louisiana Tech) Manny Diaz has 14 years of Division I coaching experience and has led his defenses to 12 bowl game appearances. As defensive coordinator at Louisiana Tech this year, the Bulldogs have improved with a ranking of No. 29 in the nation in total defense this year, a year after they allowed an average of 408 yards per game. Diaz previously coached as defensive coordinator at Texas from 2011-2013, and during his first season he led the Longhorns to become the top defense in the Big 12, as they ranked No. 1 in the conference in total defense, rushing defense and pass defense. Diaz was also the defensive coordinator for Mississippi State in 2010, which ranked No. 22 in the nation in scoring defense. The Bulldogs allowed only 19.9 points per game in 2010, which showed when they lost only 19-14 to the 2010 Auburn national championship team. That team also ranked nationally as No. 15 in red-zone defense, No. 17 in nationally in rushing defense and No. 17 in tackles for loss, which was another major turnaround after Mississippi State finished No. 71 in scoring defense and No. 89 in tackles for loss the season before he arrived in Starkville, Mississippi. Although Diaz may not be the biggest name on Auburn's short list of potential defensive coordinator candidates, he has had plenty of success turning around big programs that have had defensive struggles before he got there. By: Kyle Van Fechtmann | Assistant Sports Editor _______________________________________ Bill Clark (6-6 in 2014 season as head coach at UAB, 11-4 in 2013 season as head coach at Jacksonville State) The possibility of Auburn hiring UAB head coach Bill Clark to take charge of the Tigers' defense remains an option if concerns surrounding UAB football shut the program down. During his first year as head coach at UAB, Clark led the Blazers to a 6-6 season, and made his team eligible for bowl competition for the third time in school history. The Blazers are one of eight Conference USA teams to win at least six games in the 2014 season. Before that, he guided Jacksonville State to a record-setting 11-4 season as its head coach in 2013. It was the most victories for the Gamecocks since 1992. Prior to Jacksonville State, Clark was assistant head coach and the defensive coordinator at South Alabama. Clark was the high school football head coach for nine years at Prattville High School, where his last two teams won a pair of Class 6A State Championships. Depending on the future of UAB's football program or how long it takes for the school to give Clark a contract extension, Auburn could find the missing piece to its coaching staff in his 20 years of coaching experience. By: Derek Thompson | Sports Writer _______________________________________ Gene Chizik (38-38 as head coach) Gene Chizik's tenure as Auburn head coach was well documented. His questionable hiring was well documented too, but the firing of defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson leaves a spot on the Auburn coaching staff. Before disregarding the former head coach, remember his success as a defensive coordinator for both Auburn (2002-2004) and Texas (2005-2006). As Auburn defensive coordinator, Chizik's defenses gave up an average of 15.13 points per game. In 2004, after major contributions to the undefeated season, Chizik was awarded the Broyles Award, given to the nation's best assistant coach. Everyone remembers the 2010 National Championship Chizik celebrated with the Tigers, but it should be noted that he also played a major role in Texas' 2005 National Championship win over USC. Chizik also coached three different winners of the Thorpe Award, an award given to the nations best defensive back; Carlos Rodger (AU), Michael Huff (UT), and Arron Ross (UT). However, Auburn fans are unlikely to forget Chizik's fall from dominance. In his last two seasons as Auburn's head coach, Chizik amassed an 11-14 record including a winless conference record in 2012. It also would be interesting to see how Auburn fans would react if the team signs on a defensive coordinator that still hasn't finished his head coach contract. The former head coach is currently bringing home $209, 457.84 a month, according to Auburn's payroll. Chizik may not be on many Auburn fan's wish list, but if worst comes to worst, at least there's another proven defense coordinator living in the Auburn city limits. By: Patrick Lucas | Sports Reporter
Auburn's flaws were placed under the spotlight yet again Saturday night in Bryant-Denny Stadium. The same problems the Tigers had sought to fix this week, the slow starts, unnecessary penalties and a porous defense, cropped up yet again in Auburn's 55-44 Iron Bowl loss in Tuscaloosa. "It was a disappointing loss, especially in a ranked game, and Alabama came back and won," head coach Gus Malzahn said. "We have to give credit to Alabama." While Malzahn credited the No. 1 Crimson Tide, it was the same old story in many ways for the struggling Tigers. For the third time this season, Auburn turned the ball over on its first offensive play of the game. The Tigers matched their seven penalties per game average against the Crimson Tide, a category in which they rank second to last in the SEC. And yet again the defense struggled, allowing 539 total yards and 55 points to the Crimson Tide. For the sixth consecutive conference game, Auburn allowed over 30 points. Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper tallied 224 yards on 13 catches while accounting for three touchdowns. Covering the Crimson Tide's playmaker was an exercise in futility for most of Saturday night. "We're obviously not happy with the way we played tonight," Malzahn said. "They do have a very good offense." Hardest of all, Malzahn said, was coming up short despite producing impressive numbers against the Alabama defense. "We had enough yards to score a whole bunch of points and that was probably the name of the game," Malzahn said. "I'm really proud of our team. They fought really hard to the end." With the Tigers' regular season now finished at 8-4, Auburn will now likely be in a middle-tier bowl this postseason. 10 wins, a goal set following disappointing losses to Texas A&M and Georgia, has now gone the way of their preseason goals. "We're very capable of being a top team, but it just hasn't worked out for us this year," senior quarterback Nick Marshall said. "We've just got to put this and move on to next week and try to get win No. 9."
The Auburn defense snapped a brutal streak in Saturday's 34-7 victory over Samford. For the first time since Oct. 4, the Tigers held their opponents to fewer than 30 points. But the Tiger defense is still in need of some "polishing" according to linebacker Kris Frost, and containing Alabama playmakers Amari Cooper, TJ Yeldon and Derrick Henry will require a mature performance Saturday night. "It's all about being disciplined," Frost said. "When you're playing a team as balanced as they are, you just do all you can to be disciplined. The most disciplined team will come out on top." Defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson said the main issue has been the accumulation of penalty yards, a category in which Auburn ranks last in the SEC and 114th nationally. "The biggest thing is these penalties," Johnson said. "It's not just on defense, but in particular on defense, things like lining up offside. I don't care if it's Samford or Green Bay, just line up onside." While some of the issues have been obvious mental mistakes, others have left Johnson questioning officiating. "Officials are doing a great job, but we're getting some interference calls and things that we can't uncoach our kids to play aggressively," Johnson said. "I think some of them are very questionable, but those are judgment calls." The penalties have allowed opponents to extend drives and wear down the defense, according to Johnson. Even in a solid performance, such as against Samford, Johnson said it was an issue. "There were three drives last night that were 40 yards or longer," Johnson said. "Each one of them was full of penalties. We've got to cut it out." The Tigers were called on eight penalties for 76 yards against Samford, slightly above their seven penalty, 70 yard average. Auburn may be out of the SEC Championship and College Football Playoff race, but Frost said nothing has changed about the Iron Bowl. For Auburn, it is simply "the most important game of the season." "The Iron Bowl is the Iron Bowl," Frost said. "It doesn't matter what the records are of each team. We're still going to come out and prepare everyday like it's the most important game of the season, because it is."
Auburn football may have gotten back on the winning track Saturday against Samford, but offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said ending a trend of slow starts will be critical if the Tigers want to upset No. 1 Alabama in the Iron Bowl. "Right now, as long as we don't turn the ball over on the first play, it's a positive," offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said. "The last couple times we did that it didn't go so well." Lashlee said he believes the key to avoiding slow starts is generating explosive plays, referencing a 49-yard pass to wide receiver Sammie Coates after the Tigers' slow offensive start against Samford. "We're obviously better when we can get some explosive plays," Lashlee said. "Those explosive plays lead to tempo and tempo leads to points." Wide receiver Quan Bray said another factor in the slow starts has been penalties. The senior said untimely penalties put the offense behind schedule and out of sync. "Once we get penalties and get behind the sticks, our offense doesn't move as well," Bray said. "When we get off to a good start, then our offense gets to clicking." The Tigers' penalty issues are well documented. Auburn currently leads the SEC in penalty yards according to CFBStats.com, a trend that hasn't shown improvement throughout the season. Auburn could also benefit from the return of several injured players Saturday. Wide receiver Ricardo Louis, who sat out against Samford as a precaution, is expected to play while the coaching staff is optimistic fellow receiver D'haquille Williams will return. Additionally, Coates is "as healthy as he has been all year," according to Lashlee. With a number of pieces returning to the field, Lashlee said it will be business as usual for the Tigers in preparation, even with a trip to No. 1 Alabama on the horizon. "We've got to be ready to play," Lashlee said. "We're going to practice and prepare every week just the same."
Auburn wide receiver D'haquille Williams is still considered "day-to-day" while recovering from a sprained right MCL suffered against Texas A&M, according to offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee. Lashlee said he is optimistic the Tigers' leading receiver could be healthy enough to play in Saturday's Iron Bowl against No. 1 Alabama. "We're optimistic that he's getting better," Lashlee said. "We'll know when we get out there tomorrow and get after it and see where they're at." Williams' performance this season has had a ripple effect through the rest of the offense, accoreding to Lashlee, opening up space for other playmakers. "It makes it harder to take people away," Lashlee said. "The more weapons you have the more honest the defense has to play you. We want to be full strength." In Williams' absence, Lashlee said second-leading receiver Sammie Coates has received extra double teams from opposing secondaries. Fellow wide receiver Quan Bray was hopeful his teammate would be able to take the field Saturday. "It'll be a big key obviously if he can come back 100 percent," Bray said. "It'll help us. It opens it up for everybody because he tends to make big plays when big plays are needed."
Auburn men's basketball improved to 2-1 on the season following their 105-80 victory over the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns Friday night in the Auburn Arena. It was the first time Auburn basketball has scored at least 100 points since 2003. "I thought we had really good contributions all the way around," head coach Bruce Pearl said. "This is our third game in eight days. That's a lot but we're used to playing that way." KT Harrell led all scorers with 24 points but reigning SEC Player of the Week Cinmeon Bowers posted his third double-double in his third career game for Auburn, with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Bowers is the first Auburn player since 2009 to have three straight double doubles. Auburn is now 5-0 all-time at home against Louisiana and Bruce Pearl also goes to 5-0 in career coaching appearances against the Ragin' Cajuns. After being tied at 10 with 15 minutes remaining in the first half, Auburn took control of the lead and did not look back as they ended the half with Bowers hitting a three-pointer as time expired to make it 45-38. Harrell led all scorers at half with 15 points. This was also his third straight game of scoring at least 20 points. Auburn continued that momentum in the second half and ran away with it with their sharp shooting (64 percent) on their way to the victory. The Tigers made their final 11 shots to close the game out. Tahj Shamsid-Deen struggled in the Tigers' first two games this season, bounced back in the second half of this one, finishing with 21 points and five 3-pointers. "My coaches and teammates have been encouraging me to not worry and keep shooting," Shamsid-Deen said. "In the second half it started to drop." Malcolm Canada chipped in a career-high 10 points and six assists while Jordon Granger finished with a career-high 14 points. "That's the best we've played so far," Pearl said. "We had several guys have career nights tonight." Auburn goes back on the road this Monday, Nov. 24, to compete in the MGM Grand Event against Tulsa on ESPNU.
Auburn has risen to the top of the SEC leaderboard in a number of statistical categories in two seasons under head coach Gus Malzahn. It all came crashing down in Sanford Stadium last Saturday, Nov. 15, in Athens, Georgia. Gus Malzahn and the Auburn Tigers' lofty postseason goals were dashed in an uncharacteristic blowout, the worst overall performance of the Malzahn era. Thirteen seconds better? Hardly. The 2014 Tigers won't even be in the picture for the first playoff. Auburn's late-season collapse exposed an unsettling reality for Tiger fans: their previous model for success was unsustainable. The Tigers' defensive deficiencies had been masked this season by an explosive offense capable of putting up 40 points on any given night. The idea the offense could pull the defense from the fire on a weekly basis was a bit fantastic, but fans believed, if for no other reason than they proved they could do it on most occasions. But it was the offense that needed saving against Georgia, and the defense was nowhere to be found. The defense has now surrendered more than 30 points in five consecutive games, a trend that places extreme pressure on the offense to play perfect football. Combine that pressure with special teams mistakes, such as the ones we saw in the Tigers' losses to Mississippi State and Georgia, and there's little chance for Auburn to overcome deficits. It's clear now Auburn is not an elite college football team. No team that tackles as poorly, generates as insignificant a pass rush and commits as many penalties as the Tigers can be considered elite. It's a shame considering the level of talent on this team. They're certainly capable of being one of the best in the country. But now the Tigers have been reduced to the role of spoiler. As much fun as a potential berth in the Outback Bowl sounds, there is only one game left on the schedule that matters: Alabama. A trip to the SEC Championship may not be on the line, but a victory in the Iron Bowl would still salvage some joy for Auburn fans from an otherwise disappointing 2014 campaign. What better way for Auburn to end the regular season than spoiling the Tide's postseason dreams?
For one half Tuesday morning, Bruce Pearl and the Auburn Tigers went toe-to-toe with the Colorado Buffaloes, a 2014 NCAA Tournament team. But then the second half started. The Tigers' (1-1) shooting went cold in the second half in Boulder, Colorado, where Auburn picked up its first loss of the Pearl era, 90-59. After shooting 39 percent from the field in the first half of this midnight matchup, the Tigers' shot just 18.2 percent in the final half of play. Auburn pulled within two on a KC Ross-Miller jumper just 20 seconds into the second half, and then had several opportunities to either tie or take the lead from Colorado (2-0). But the Buffaloes countered, ending the game on a 38-13 run over the final 12 minutes and stifling the Tigers to the tune of three field goals over that span. Colorado took control of the game while Auburn missed 17 consecutive field goal attempts and cruised to a comfortable 31-point victory. Without the presence of fellow scorer Antoine Mason, KT Harrell led the Tigers with 20 points, but struggled shooting the ball, going 5-of-17 (29 percent) from the field. Cinmeon Bowers recorded a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds, his second in two career games for the Tigers. However, the former JUCO transfer struggled shooting the ball against the Bufaloes' lengthy frontcourt, limiting his field goal percentage. Colorado's size advantage led to a 46-35 rebounding advantage and a 42-24 edge in points in the paint. Auburn will look to move above .500 on Friday, Nov. 21 when they'll welcome the Louisiana-Lafayette Rajin' Cajuns (1-1) to the Auburn Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT.
There was no miracle to save Auburn against Georgia in 2014. The Tigers' 34-7 loss in Sanford Stadium eliminated the reigning SEC Champions from both the SEC West title race and almost certainly the College Football Playoff. Auburn's preseason dreams of being "13 seconds better" and bringing home a national title were resoundingly crushed under the rushing attack of Todd Gurley and Nick Chubb. As those title aspirations finally slipped from their hands, head coach Gus Malzahn could feel little else than overall disappointment as he exited Sanford Stadium Saturday night. "The thing about Auburn and why I am here, we're going to have high expectations," Malzahn said. "You're disappointed when you don't reach some of your goals, but that's part of it. We're always going to have high expectations. Sometimes you're going to meet them and sometimes you're not." Even though Auburn had lost twice already this season, this loss broke the mold for a team that has become known for fighting through adverse situations. "All of them are hard," defensive lineman Gabe Wright said. "This one is a little different because we physically, mentally and emotionally just really got our butts whooped." Malzahn said there was little Auburn could do after the game other than to regroup, dust themselves off and find a way to move forward. "We've got to be big boys," Malzahn said. "We got it handed to us tonight. That's uncharacteristic so we have to bounce back." A key to that improvement, according to Malzahn, is the Tigers' upperclassmen, such as Wright and running back Cameron Artis-Payne. "We've got a lot of seniors that have a lot of character," Malzahn said. "I definitely expect these guys to bounce back." For Artis-Payne, the loss puts extra emphasis on the final two games and whatever bowl game the Tigers land in. "Disappointment, of course, but we still have games left and we have to refocus even though we're disappointed and get back to try to win our last two," Artis-Payne said. Wright said that though the team's major goals have been lost, the team still has a lot to play for this season. "We may be out of the playoff race, but in all actuality there is still so much to play for," Wright said. "The playoff and the national championship are the biggest, and our goal is the SEC Championship, but at the same time we can't get caught up and let one loss turn into another loss." With Auburn's defense reeling in the second half of the season, Wright said he hoped fans would appreciate the strengths of this team, even if he could admit the drastic turn the defense took in the middle of the year. "After losing like this, it's hard to talk about mental toughness and the attributes and strengths of a team," Wright said. "This team has been through a lot. I'm not going to lie to you."
On a night of debuts in the Auburn Arena, the Auburn basketball team kicked off the Bruce Pearl era with an 83-73 come-from-behind victory over the Milwaukee Panthers.
On a night of debuts in the Auburn Arena, the Auburn basketball team kicked off the Bruce Pearl era with an 83-73 come-from-behind victory over the Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers. Despite trailing by 12 at one point in the second half, Pearl's Tigers (1-0) used an 18-2 run to storm back to a lead that they would never relinquish. "We're going to be in a lot of these nail-biters, just because the roster is thin," Pearl said. "I'm just glad the fans got rewarded tonight." Pearl wasn't the only one making a debut Friday night. Auburn's newcomers scored 53 of the Tigers' points, led by JUCO transfer Cinmeon Bowers' 18 points and 17 rebounds. "Obviously (Bowers) put up man numbers," Pearl said. "There were times in the game when he was a strong factor, but he also made some plays that he knows he shouldn't make." Former Niagra shooting guard Antoine Mason scored 19 points in his debut despite suffering a "nasty" ankle sprain in the second half. KC Ross-Miller chipped in 13 points on the night. The Tigers broke out to a quick 7-2 start, led by early contributions from Bowers, Ross-Miller and Mason. However, Milwaukee answered with a run in the middle of the half, shutting Auburn out for close to five minutes and taking the lead at the 7:42 during a 10-0 streak. The Tigers failed to overcome the deficit and went into the half trailing 32-29. Ross-Miller led all scorers at the break while Bowers posted six points and seven rebounds. Despite the deficit, Bowers said it was a situation they'd prepared for. "In practice we do pressure situations," Bowers said. "We got to work our way up to get a W in practice so we just took that to the game." Two of Auburn's main contributors from last season, Tahj Shamsid-Deen and KT Harrell, were held to two combined points on 1-of-7 shooting. But Harrell bounced back in the second half, scoring 18 of his team-high 20 points and fueling the Tigers' comeback. "I just stay aggressive," Harrell said. "I'm a confident player and I know I can get it going so I just try to stay aggressive and look for open shots." Pearl had high praise for his senior guard after the game. "I just think KT is a little focused on winning home games," Pearl said. "He doesn't want to lose at home. He tried to put us on his back a little bit." Shamsid-Deen left the game in the second half with an injured shoulder that Pearl said briefly popped out of socket. After the game, Pearl credited the attendance, which at 8,114 was the second-largest for a non-conference game in Auburn Arena, for aiding the team's performance. "It's a struggle," Pearl said. "But we all struggled together. The crowd was a huge factor in us being able to hang in there tonight." With a win under their belt, Pearl and the Tigers' attention now turns to a late-night matchup against Colorado on Tuesday morning at midnight.
Auburn women's basketball opened up their regular season with a 71-54 victory over Troy in the first game of the doubleheader at Auburn Arena with the men's team playing University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee at 9 p.m. "We knew that if we handled Troy's pressure that we could push in transition and get some easy shots and baskets," Williams-Flournoy said. "A few times we didn't handle the pressure as well as we should've, and that was usually just lazy passes." Auburn jumped out to the early 5-0 lead in the first two minutes after turning four Troy turnovers into scoring possessions. The Tigers held the lead for the majority of the first half until Troy went on their own 5-0 run to tie it at 22-22 with 6:33 remaining. But Auburn ended the first half on a positive note with a 12-0 run to make it 43-29 at halftime. Troy ended Auburn's consecutive scoring run by opening the second half with a made three-pointer. But the defense kept the lead secure for Auburn as they continued to force Troy turnovers. This was the 16th game the Tigers have had at least 15 steals under head coach Terri Williams-Flournoy. "Going against a team that was pushing the ball up the floor and taking quick shots, we had to get back and get matched a lot quicker," Williams-Flournoy said. Tra'Cee Tanner led all scorers with 16 points and also had 10 rebounds on her way to her fourth career double-double. "I feel like we definitely followed our game plan tonight," Tanner said. "Us limiting them getting free layups and keeping them off the boards really helped us a lot." Auburn's next game is at home vs. Grambling State this Monday, Nov. 17 at 6 p.m.