Auburn on the hardwood
For Auburn fans, the Tigers’ loss to their archrival on the hardwood over the weekend was a tough pill to swallow.
Auburn outrebounded Alabama, scored more fastbreak points, and outscored the Tide in the paint. Tahaad Pettiford dropped 25 points, Keyshawn Hall added 24, Kevin Overton finished with 19, and KeShawn Murphy recorded a double-double.
And Auburn still lost.
It really all amounts to defensive play. Auburn allowed Alabama to shoot a season-high 52% from deep and score 96 points. Steven Pearl said it plainly: Auburn’s best players must defend at a higher level.
Auburn will have a quick turnaround against Vanderbilt on Tuesday and will travel to Bud Walton Arena to face an Arkansas squad hungry for revenge after the Tigers dismantled the Razorback just a few weeks ago.
Jackson Koivun, Auburn Men’s golf historic weekend.
What a weekend it was for Auburn’s men’s golf program. Behind the best individual performance in Auburn history from junior Jackson Koivun, the fifth-ranked Tigers matched the NCAA scoring record in a 77-under-par victory at the Amer Ari Invitational hosted by Mauna Lani Golf Club in Waikoloa, Hawaii.
Koivun won his sixth career tournament with rounds of 62, 62, and 67 for a 25-under week on the Big Island. He made just one bogey and more than made up for it with 24 birdies, one eagle, and 28 pars. He also broke the NCAA 36-hole record of 18 shots under par, previously set by Tiger Woods at the 1996 Pac-10 Championship.
Koivun has already established himself as one of the top amateur golfers in the world. I’m anxious to see him lead an Auburn team that expects to finish the season wth its second national title in three years.
Auburn well-respresented in Super Bowl
Four former Auburn Tigers were crowned Super Bowl champions last night as the Seahawks obliterated the Patriots.
Derrick Hall was a star in the win with two sacks, including one that forced a fumble and led to a touchdown.
Nehemiah Pritchett also earned his first Super Bowl ring. He appeared in every game this season for the Seahawks, primarily on special teams.
Former Auburn players Josh Bynes and Neiko Thorpe earned some hardware as defensive assistant coaches, working with linebackers and cornerbacks, respectively.
Byrum Brown talk
I came across a list of the Top 10 QB’s for the 2026 college football season the other day, and it did not include Byrum Brown.
The same guy who led the FBS in total offense last year. The same quarterback who threw for over 3,000 yards and rushed for 1,000+ yards – a feat only 11 others have ever accomplished in NCAA history, and none of them are currently playing.
I understand it happened at USF. I understand it’s going to be hard to replicate those numbers in the SEC. But based on production alone, it is hard to argue that he is not a top 10 QB in college football.
Quick Hitters
- Baseball season begins this weekend. Butch Thompson’s Tigers will begin play against Youngstown State. Led by a handful of returnees, there will also be some new faces in the mix – especially on the rubber.
- Auburn softball left opening weekend with a 4-2 record at the NFCA Leadoff Classic. The Tigers lost to North Florida in the season-opener, but responded with wins over No. 9 Clemson, Notre Dame, and Michigan State. They also lost to Pitt. There are lots of new faces on this roster, but Chris and Kate Malveaux have to like what they saw over the weekend – and obviously, there’s still room to improve.
Until next time… TG
