Men's Basketball

Canada rebounds despite childhood in crack house

By Derek Thompson | Sports Reporter | February 23

Malcolm Canada looked down the barrel of a shotgun as police raided his house in Austin, Texas, for illegal drugs when he was 12 years old. Before he played college basketball, Canada grew up in a crack house, where his parents were involved in the use and distribution of illegal drugs.

KT Harrell #1 looks for someone to pass to. Auburn vs Arkansas in Auburn, AL on Feb. 10, 2015. Adam Sparks | Photographer

Late comeback lifts Tigers over Bulldogs in Athens

By Eric Wallace | Sports Writer | February 23

KT Harrell hit a 3-pointer with less than a minute to play and Auburn (12-13, 4-8 SEC) hit four of its final six free throws to close out a 69-68 comeback victory over the Georgia Bulldogs (16-8, 7-5 SEC) in Athens.

Pearl: Alabama loss 'as bad as we've played this year'

By Eric Wallace | Sports Writer | February 23

"I think if you're going to be successful anywhere, you have to beat your rival," Pearl said. "I couldn't beat them this year. I think that's a negative mark on this team and this program as we try to rebuild."

Tigers look to keep up momentum, avenge loss to Tide

By David McKinney | Assistant Sports Editor | February 23

Since his arrival on the Plains, head coach Bruce Pearl has spoken several times about building a foundation and changing the way Auburn basketball is seen around the country.

Shamsid-Deen shoulder injury 'more serious than last time'

By Eric Wallace | Sports Writer | February 23

"It's potentially a little more serious and it's unfortunate because he was playing great," Pearl said. "He got off to a great start and his speed, quickness and defense in a game like this obviously would've helped us."

Tigers allow Razorbacks to eclipse century mark in foul-laden loss

By David McKinney | Assistant Sports Editor | February 23

"This is as well as (Arkansas) has shot the ball in a while," said head coach Bruce Pearl. "Particularly on the road. They're better from two then three, but tonight they were terrific from three."

Hot-shooting Rebels hold off Tigers in the Auburn Arena

By Eric Wallace | Sports Writer | February 23

"You can't give up 86 points and win," head coach Bruce Pearl said. "You can't send an opponent to the foul line 38 times and win. You can't let an opponent shoot 71 percent in the second half and win. That's the story of the game."

Tigers grab first road win at LSU

By Sam Butler | Sports Writer | February 23

Behind 28 points from K.T. Harrell and 24 from Antoine Mason, the Auburn Tigers picked up their first road win of the season in a 81-77 nailbiter over the home LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Antoine Mason #14 during the second half. Auburn vs Texas A&M in Auburn, AL on Jan 27, 2015. Emily Enfinger | Photo Editor

Tigers fighting to stay positive through losing streak

By David McKinney | Assistant Sports Editor | February 23

"Adversity reveals character, it doesn't build it," head coach Bruce Pearl said. "They are still playing hard, competing hard and working hard. My message to the team this morning was we have to go to class this week, don't let the pain of not winning get involved and become a distraction to other aspects of being a student-athlete."

Small Tigers hope to complement Harrell, Bowers

By David McKinney | Assistant Sports Editor | February 23

"There have been a couple games where we have been bothered by size," said head coach Bruce Pearl. "At Colorado, where we made some of their power forwards, who are good players, look like great players. Certainly, we hung in there in the boards against Alabama, but we did not rebound the ball late. You could say that a couple of offensive rebounds late were major factors in costing us that opportunity."

Bruce Pearl, head coach, during the second half. Auburn vs Texas A&M in Auburn, AL on Jan 27, 2015. Emily Enfinger | Photo Editor

Pearl prepares Tigers for Knoxville return

By David McKinney | Assistant Sports Editor | February 23

"Some will be booing and some will be Bru-ing." That's what Auburn basketball head coach Bruce Pearl said he expects to hear when he makes his return to Thompson-Boling Arena on Saturday, Jan. 31.

Rocky Return: Tigers drop fourth straight in Pearl's Tennessee return

By Eric Wallace | Sports Writer | February 23

"I was disappointed that we weren't able to finish the job," head coach Bruce Pearl said. "I thought we played well in stretches, but Tennessee made those effort and energy plays. They're a very athletic team."

Despite emotions, Pearl appreciative in return to Tennessee

By Eric Wallace | Sports Writer | February 23

"We lived here for nine years," head coach Bruce Pearl said. "This was a really special time in Tennessee basketball history and we were able to add to it. The vast majority of what we did was good. It was a nice reception."

Shamsid-Deen posts his most points in SEC play despite separated shoulders, hand injury

By Eric Wallace | Sports Writer | February 23

"From the standpoint of you walking away from the game, you say '[Tennessee forward] Armani Moore is a beast,'" head coach Bruce Pearl said. "But you also walk away knowing that little guy from Auburn plays hard and he's hard to keep in front."

Texas A&M hands Tigers their third straight defeat

By David McKinney | Assistant Sports Editor | February 23

"We didn't play well together offensively," said head coach Bruce Pearl. "My biggest thing moving forward is, I've got to find a way for our team to play better offensively where we get each other open and find each other. It's been a challenge."

Size, unbalanced scoring concern Pearl moving forward

By Eric Wallace | Sports Writer | February 23

"My biggest concern moving forward is I have to find a way for our team to play better offensively," Pearl said. "We need to get each other open and find each other. It has been a challenge."

Atewe officially out for men's basketball season

By David McKinney | Assistant Sports Editor | February 23

Sophomore center Matthew Atewe hasn't seen any minutes on the hardwood since Auburn's exhibition against West Alabama, and he won't see anymore.

Mississippi State snaps Tigers' home win streak

By David McKinney | Assistant Sports Editor | February 23

"They made it really difficult for us to score in the first half," head coach Bruce Pearl said. "We didn't value the ball, we didn't value possessions. Points off turnovers and second chance points were the difference in the game. "

Tigers grab close win against South Carolina in front of sellout crowd

By David McKinney | Assistant Sports Editor | February 23

KT Harrell's 24 points lifted Auburn to a 71-68 victory over South Carolina Saturday, Jan. 17. None of those 24 were more important than the four that came after Harrell was fouled on a made 3-pointer with the Tigers trailing 53-57 with less than five minutes to go.

Thompson's return to action provides Tiger frontcourt depth

By David McKinney | Assistant Sports Editor | February 23

Alex Thompson is back on the Plains and back on the hardwood for Auburn. Thompson, a walk-on who was awarded a scholarship by former head coach Tony Barbee, took a semester off in the fall for personal reasons, but has seen significant playing time since returning to school in December 2014.