Tag: Chance Westry

Chance Westry working to come back from injury better than ever

Westry is putting in work behind the scenes in an effort to have a bounce back season in 2023-24.

After a stellar Israel summer tour that saw him score 10.3 points per game, Auburn fans were excited about the potential production that freshman [autotag]Chance Westry[/autotag] could bring to Auburn’s already talented squad.

However, Westry has not returned to his standard playing shape after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery in October. This has caused him not to see the floor since early January and has limited him to only seeing action in 11 games this season.

After Auburn’s 76-64 loss to Georgia on Jan. 4, head coach [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag] elected to shut down Westry, which will allow him to redshirt and get a second chance at being a freshman again in 2023-24. In his time away from the action, Westry has been working to prepare for next season.

“It’s been pretty hard, you know, because I’m not out there playing,” Westry said Wednesday at Legacy Arena. “Seeing everything and also being the player that I am, I want to go out there and try to fix some things, but it’s been hard. I’ve been getting stronger every day… and getting ready for next year so I can be out there myself.”

Several changes that Westry has taken on have been adding weight. He weighed 183 pounds in the summer but has now grown to 197 pounds thanks to a plan set forth by Auburn’s strength and conditioning coach, Damon Davis. That is one of the main reasons why Pearl remains confident that Westry can ultimately become the player that he was before the surgery.

“I mean, it means a lot,” Westry said. “(Pearl) believes in me. Obviously, he sees the best, so I’m just going to live up to what he sees and be even better.”

Westry was a four-star combo guard from Chandler, Arizona as a member of the 2022 signing class, joining [autotag]Yohan Traore[/autotag] and [autotag]Tre Donaldson[/autotag]. Looking ahead to next season’s roster, Westry will join [autotag]Wendell Green Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]K.D. Johnson[/autotag] as one of four returning guards, with freshman signee [autotag]Aden Holloway[/autotag] joining the mix.

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Auburn among programs interested in Towson guard Nicholas Timberlake

Timberlake averaged 17.7 points for Towson during the 2022-23 season.

Auburn basketball is looking to boost its backcourt for next season and could dip into the transfer portal to do so.

According to Joe Tipton of On3, Auburn is among 30+ programs that have reached out to Towson guard [autotag]Nicolas Timberlake[/autotag] about the possibility of joining the roster next season.

In four seasons at Towson, Timberlake has posted an average of 12.5 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. In 2022-23, he averaged 17.7 points per game while connecting on 45% of his shots, and had a free throw percentage of 84.5%.

Will Auburn have room for Timberlake? Auburn will graduate four guards from this season’s team, including [autotag]Allen Flanigan[/autotag] and [autotag]Zep Jasper[/autotag]. [autotag]Wendell Green Jr.[/autotag], [autotag]Tre Donaldson[/autotag], [autotag]K.D. Johnson[/autotag], and [autotag]Chance Westry[/autotag] are set to return, with Aden Holloway set to come in as a freshman. Adding a guard with experience could go a long way in building depth at the position.

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Sharp-shooting, bench play leads Auburn over Colgate

The Tigers connected on a season-high ten three-pointers in Friday night’s win over Colgate at Neville Arena.

The No. 19 Auburn Tigers went into Friday’s game with Colgate knowing that a strong defensive outing could give its’ offense enough of a boost to shut down a precise Raider scoring attack.

The Tigers did their job defensively, but the offense is what drew attention in Friday’s 93-66 win over Colgate at Neville Arena.

Auburn shot 55% from the field and connected on a season-high 10 three-pointers in their massive win. One of Auburn’s key players was senior [autotag]Allen Flanigan[/autotag], who earned the start in place of [autotag]Jaylin Williams[/autotag], who missed Friday’s game due to an illness.

Flanigan shot 5-of-7 from the field and 2-of-3 from beyond the arc en route to a 12-point outing. Flanigan credits Auburn’s offensive success to his team’s ability to step up and play new roles as a result of Williams’ not being able to play.

“It was really just everybody coming in and guys playing different roles,” Flanigan said following Friday’s game. “Chris (Moore) played the four (position) and did a great job at the four. It was just us coming together with a man (Jaylin Williams) down. We stepped up and put the pieces together in The Jungle tonight.”

Flanigan and the rest of Auburn’s starting five held their own against Colgate, but Auburn’s reserves contributed heavily to the victory as well. Auburn’s bench outscored the Raiders’ bench 44-9. [autotag]K.D. Johnson[/autotag] led the team in scoring with 16 points off the bench, while [autotag]Dylan Cardwell[/autotag] picked up nine points and three blocks. Freshmen [autotag]Yohan Traore[/autotag] and [autotag]Chance Westry[/autotag] scored eight outside of the lineup.

Auburn erased its’ recent offensive woes while remaining consistent on defense. Colgate entered the game connecting on 40% of its three-point shots, which ranked No. 16 in the country. The Tigers’ remained steady on defense by forcing 12 turnovers, pulling down 26 defensive rebounds, and blocking eight shots. The Raiders were limited to 44% both from the field and from three-point territory.

The Tigers will now focus on end-of-semester finals before playing its’ next game. Auburn will face Memphis next Saturday as part of the annual “Holiday Hoopsgiving” event at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

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Social media reacts to Auburn’s blow out win over Winthrop

Auburn fans are buzzing following the Tigers’ win over Winthrop on Tuesday night

The Plains are buzzing after Auburn’s 89-65 win over Winthrop on Tuesday night at Neville Arena.

The win was a dominating effort, which is something that Auburn fans were hoping to see after the Tigers’ poor offensive outings in the first two games.

The game saw [autotag]Johni Broome[/autotag] have his “breakout” performance, as he recorded a double-double by scoring 18 points and pulling down 13 rebounds. [autotag]Wendell Green[/autotag] dropped 16 points in the win as well. Freshman [autotag]Chance Westry[/autotag] saw 17 minutes of action in his Auburn debut and scored five points before getting into foul trouble.

Auburn fans showed their excitement during and after Tuesday’s win. Here is a look at the best tweets following Auburn’s win over Winthrop on Tuesday.

Auburn vs. Winthrop: Stream, injury report, broadcast info for Tuesday’s game

Auburn looks to extend its record to 3-0 on Tuesday night by hosting Winthrop in a non-bracketed game of the Cancun Challenge.

The No. 15 Auburn Tigers play Winthrop on Tuesday night, and if you’re wondering how you can watch the action live, you’ve come to the right place.

Auburn will get a head start on its’ trip to Cancun next week by welcoming the Winthrop Eagles to Neville Arena Tuesday night for a non-bracketed game of the Cancun Challenge.

The Tigers are 2-0 after two great defensive showings to open the season. In its most recent game against South Florida, [autotag]Wendell Green[/autotag] led the team in scoring for the second game in a row by dropping 20 points, 18 of which came in the second half. [autotag]Dylan Cardwell[/autotag] also picked up a team-leading five blocks in the win.

Auburn received good news on the injury front Monday, as head coach Bruce Pearl gave a positive report on [autotag]Johni Broome[/autotag] and [autotag]Chance Westry[/autotag], suggesting that both players could see action Tuesday night.

As for Winthrop, the Eagles opened the season with a 93-68 loss to Penn State on the road, but have bounced back to win two in a row. In its most recent game, Winthrop defeated Middle Tennessee State thanks to 20-point efforts by Cory Hightower and Sin’Cere McMahon.

Below, you will find key information including broadcast information, an injury report, and the probable starting lineups for Tuesday’s game between Auburn and Winthrop.

Bruce Pearl updates injury status of two Tigers ahead of Winthrop game

Auburn could be at full strength for the first time all season when they face Winthrop on Tuesday night.

The No. 15 Auburn Tigers could be at full strength for the first time all season when they take the floor against Winthrop on Tuesday night at Neville Arena.

Head coach [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag] said Monday that there is a chance that injured players [autotag]Johni Broome[/autotag] and [autotag]Chance Westry[/autotag] could be back in the rotation in time for the Tigers’ next game.

Broome, who has played in both of the Tigers’ games to this point, has been dealing with ankle issues lately. So much so, that he was considered questionable for the Winthrop game as of Monday afternoon. Pearl said Monday that Broome was “more active” Sunday, but was still dealing with complications.

Broome could not follow up his 12-point season-opening performance on Friday in Auburn’s win over South Florida, as he scored just three points and went 0-for-6 from the field.

The biggest news is that in the case of freshman guard Chance Westry. Westry, who infamously underwent arthroscopic knee surgery last month alongside his head coach, could play as much as 10-15 minutes on Tuesday according to Pearl.

Westry made quite the impression on Pearl and Auburn fans during the Tigers’ Israel expedition in August by averaging 10.3 points per contest in three games. He was a four-star rated guard out of Compass Prep in Chandler, Arizona, and was the No. 44 overall player for the 2022 cycle according to 247Sports.

Auburn hits the floor Tuesday night against Winthrop in a non-bracket contest of the Cancun Challenge. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. inside Neville Arena.

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Everything Bruce Pearl said ahead of Wednesday’s exhibition with UAH

Pearl shares his game plan ahead of Wednesday’s exhibition at Neville Arena, as well as his thoughts on the new hire of John Cohen as athletic director.

Auburn Basketball officially opens the season on Monday, Nov. 7 at Neville Arena against George Mason.

The Tigers will get one last tune-up on Wednesday, however, by hosting Alabama-Huntsville of Division II’s Gulf South Conference at Neville Arena for a 7 p.m. CT tipoff.

What is Auburn head coach [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag]’s approach to the game? He expects to win Wednesday’s game but will do so by using a 12-13 man rotation. He also mentioned during Tuesday’s press conference that [autotag]Allen Flanigan[/autotag] has gotten back into a rhythm following his leave of absence in September. The bad news, however, is that [autotag]Chance Westry[/autotag] is still recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, and will not be available to play in Wednesday’s exhibition.

Not only did Pearl mention his team during his recent media availability, but he also shared his thoughts on the recent hire of John Cohen as athletic director.

Here is a look at what Pearl said prior to his team’s exhibition game against UAH on Wednesday night.

Bruce Pearl updates injury status of freshman guard Chance Westry

Will Auburn’s freshman guard be ready for the season opener on Nov. 7?

Auburn Basketball continues preparations for the upcoming season and has stumbled into a bit of a roadblock.

Head coach [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag] spoke with the media ahead of Tuesday’s practice and shared that the team has had a recent struggle with the flu. He mentioned that three players were affected, which includes [autotag]K.D. Johnson[/autotag], [autotag]Wendell Green[/autotag], and [autotag]Haston Alexander[/autotag]. Green has since returned, while Johnson and Alexander are expected to be out until later in the week.

Pearl also touched base on freshman guard [autotag]Chance Westry[/autotag], who recently had arthroscopic knee surgery alongside Pearl. Westry’s recovery is going well, but his return is still hinging on one factor.

“Chance (Westry) is doing good. We are just trying to get a little bit of swelling out to be able to let him do a little bit more,” Pearl said Tuesday. “That swelling coming out will determine how quickly we can get him back.”

Westry had a great showing during Auburn’s overseas trip to Israel in August by averaging 10.3 points in three games. Pearl says that he was pleased with Westry’s efforts during the summer, but is understandably concerned about the player Westry will be once he returns from injury.

“Chance has pretty much missed the fall. He will be back in let’s just say three more weeks,” Pearl said. “What is he going to be like when he comes back? Because we will be starting to play by then. It’s going to be a bit of a challenge.”

Pearl and select players are set to speak to the media on Wednesday as part of SEC Tipoff ’23 in Birmingham. Auburn begins the 2022-23 season on Monday, Nov. 7 at Neville Arena against George Mason.

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Bruce Pearl announces return of Allen Flanigan to team

The senior guard returns to the team after spending two weeks away due to “personal family reasons.”

Wednesday was a special day for Auburn Basketball, as the program welcomed scouts and personnel from 28 NBA franchises for their annual pro day workout.

Before the team showed off their skills in front of their potential future professional team, head coach [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag] took time to speak with the media about his players, and the current happenings around his program. During his availability, he dropped the news that senior guard [autotag]Allen Flanigan[/autotag] has returned to campus after a two-week absence due to “personal family reasons,” and is working out with the team.

Flanigan took a step back last season after suffering a non-basketball-related injury to his achilles tendon, which required him to miss the first 12 games of the year. The year prior, he averaged 14.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game as a sophomore.

With Flanigan’s return, every player on Auburn’s roster is healthy with the exception of freshman guard [autotag]Chance Westry[/autotag], who had arthroscopic knee surgery on Oct. 6. His recovery is expected to last for another two-three weeks.

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Chance Westry and Bruce Pearl undergo arthroscopic knee surgeries

Bruce Pearl will return to practice Monday. While Chance Westry will miss a few weeks.

[autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag] and freshman guard [autotag]Chance Westry[/autotag] both underwent arthroscopic knee surgeries on their right knees, the program announced Thursday afternoon.

Both procedures were done by Dr. James Andrews, Auburn University’s chief orthopedic surgeon, who was “pleased” with the outcome of each surgery.

The 6-foot-6, 190-pound Westry will miss the next three-to-four weeks of practice while Pearl is scheduled to return on Monday.

The loss of Westry hurts Auburn’s depth at wing with veteran Allen Flanigan already away from the program as he deals with personal matters. When Westry does return, he has the ability to play both guard positions and small forward.

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