Tag: JP Pegues

Auburn dismantles Vermont for resounding opening night victory

Auburn let loose with a 94-43 victory in front of a packed Neville Arena

The 2024-2025 Auburn Tigers are an extremely well-rounded basketball team.

After an exhibition season which saw Bruce Pearl’s team win two games in extremely lopsided fashion, Auburn let loose in front of a packed Neville Arena to open up the regular season, taking down Vermont 94-43 in ridiculously efficient fashion. Auburn outscored the Catamounts 46-21 in an up-and-down first half before showing off on the defensive end to open up the second stanza, dispelling any hopes of a Vermont comeback with a 16-0 run to open the frame.

Five of the nine Tigers that saw double-digit minutes on Wednesday night finished with at least 10 points. Georgia Tech transfer [autotag]Miles Kelly[/autotag] led the way, welcoming himself onto the Plains in heroic fashion to the tune of 21 points on 7 3-point field goals. [autotag]Johni Broome[/autotag] may have been overshadowed by Kelly and Denver Jones’s 16 points, but the All-SEC forward was his usual, dominant self in a 12-point, 7-rebound, 2-block effort.

Newcomer [autotag]JP Pegues[/autotag] filled point guard the role previously held by Aden Holloway and Tre Donaldson phenomenally. The Furman transfer showed immediately he could handle Bruce Pearl’s extensively complicated offense with a perfect 3/3 shooting night to go along with 4 rebounds, an assist, and two steals. Second year Tiger Chad Baker-Mazara was also his normal, stat-stuffing self in an 11-point, 3-rebound, 2-assist effort. Surprisingly, the Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic native did not swipe away a steal or block.

While Auburn wasn’t quite able to reach triple-digit scoring numbers in the opener. the Tigers offense played about as well it has since Bruce Pearl took over as the head coach. While free throw shooting was sub-par (6/10), Miles Kelly, Denver Jones, and the Tigers shot 56% from the field in the win, including an impressive 16/35 mark from beyond the arc.

Auburn will need to continue shooting the ball efficiently well over the course of a non-conference schedule that may be the hardest the Tigers have ever encountered. The waters get much more wavy as soon as Saturday, when Auburn takes on No. 4 ranked Houston at the Toyota Center in Houston. Head coach Kelvin Sampon’s Cougars, who are historically known for their defense, held Jackson State to just 40 points in an equally as impressive 97-40 opening night victory.

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Auburn takes down FAU in final tune up before season

The Tigers thrashed a 2022 Final Four team in its final preseason tune-up over the weekend.

The Auburn Tigers finished off an undefeated preseason exhibition run with a 102-70 thrashing of the Florida Atlantic Owls on Friday at Neville Arena in Auburn.

FAU, who reached the Final Four two seasons ago before receiving an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament last season, is not expected to contend for another postseason spot this year after head coach Dusty May departed for Michigan in the offseason.

Even with May, and stars such as Johnell Davis, who is now an Arkansas Razorback, no longer with the Owls, the lopsided victory was still an important and impressive result for a Tigers team hoping to reach the Final Four for the first time since 2019 this season. Superstar forward [autotag]Johni Broome[/autotag] led the way for [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag]’s squad, chipping in 15 points and nine rebounds while stuffing the stat sheet with four blocks and a pair of steals as well.

The backcourt quartet of [autotag]Denver Jones[/autotag] (13 points), [autotag]JP Pegues[/autotag] (11 points), [autotag]Tahaad Pettiford[/autotag] (12 points), and [autotag]Miles Kelly[/autotag] (15 points) supplied just over half of the Tigers points in the contest, further cementing the idea that [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag] may possess the deepest and most talented composite of guards since he took over as the Tigers head coach.

With the offensive firepower supplied by the backcourt and Broome, forward [autotag]Chad Baker-Mazara[/autotag] is expected to take a facilitator role in Bruce Pearl’s offense. The senior displayed that fully in the exhibition, finishing with a team-high six assists to go along with his 2 steals and block. Perhaps most impressively, the second-year Tiger turned the ball over just once.

Six of the ten Tigers that saw at least 10 minutes of action in Friday’s exhibition scored double-digit points, while [autotag]Chaney Johnson[/autotag] (seven points) and [autotag]Dylan Cardwell[/autotag] (six points) added a combined 12 rebounds. Bruce Pearl has made it a point to display extremely deep and talented rotations during his last few seasons on the Plains, and this iteration of the Tigers may be the most talented group he’s compiled during his tenure.

The No. 11 ranked Tigers will look to prove that sentiment when the regular season tips off on November 6 against perennial American East powerhouse Vermont. Auburn will be put to the test right away following the home opener, as the Tigers have a date with No. 4 ranked Houston in Birmingham on November 9.

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Dick Vitale places Auburn at No. 10 in ‘Sweet 16’ Rankings ahead of next season

Five SEC programs join Auburn in Vitale’s preseason rankings.

Longtime ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale released his annual “Sweet 16” college basketball rankings on Thursday afternoon.

While the 85-year-old’s rankings are nothing more than his personal list, he certainly has been following the sport long enough that his preference carries some legitimacy.

Five SEC programs landed in Vitale’s “Sweet 16”, with the Alabama Crimson Tide leading the pack all the way up at number two, behind only Kansas and one spot ahead of back-to-back champion Uconn. The only other SEC team to land in the top 10 was Auburn, as the Tigers landed at the 10 spot, ahead of Arkansas (13), Texas A&M (14), and Kentucky (15).

Auburn’s spot in Vitale’s top 10 is certainly warranted after [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag]’s squad won the SEC Tournament after finishing near the top of the conference a year ago.

The Tigers bring back last season’s leading scorer in Johni Broome as well as key pieces like [autotag]Denver Jones[/autotag], [autotag]Dylan Cardwell[/autotag], [autotag]Chaney Johnson[/autotag], and [autotag]Chad Baker-Mazara[/autotag]. The returning cast of players pairs with newly acquired transfers [autotag]JP Pegues[/autotag], [autotag]Ja’Heim Hudson[/autotag], and [autotag]Miles Kelly[/autotag] to create not only one of the more talented rosters in the SEC, but in the country as well.

Even with the abundance of offensive and defensive ammunition, the Tigers are no lock to have the same success they had a year ago. Vitale’s praise and a likely top 15 spot in the preseason polls is nice are nice accolades, but winning games in a grueling SEC is never an easy task.

We’ll see if the Tigers can live up to the preseason hype when they open the season in November.

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Bruce Pearl shares thoughts on Aden Holloway’s transfer to Alabama

Pearl finally discusses Holloway’s move to Tuscaloosa two months after the announcement.

It has been two months since former Auburn guard [autotag]Aden Holloway[/autotag] made a surprising move by transferring to arch-rival Alabama following his freshman season on the Plains.

Now, [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag] is sharing his thoughts on the move.

The Auburn head man spoke with reporters this week about an array of topics, including Holloway’s transfer to Alabama. Pearl did not share his personal thoughts on the move, but instead focused on what the move could mean for the rivalry.

“It would be like if Auburn’s quarterback went to play quarterback for Alabama,” Pearl said. “What do you think that would do for the Iron Bowl? It would make it more interesting and continue to add to the rivalry.”

Holloway’s debut season in Auburn did not go as planned, as he managed to shoot 31% from the field while adding 7.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game despite signing with Auburn as a key building block for its offense.

Following his move to Alabama, Holloway took a subtle shot at Pearl by claiming that he changed the offense during the season, causing a dip in production.

“At Auburn, I kind of got sold a dream by my coach (Bruce Pearl),” Holloway said. “The season started out good for me individually and as a team, and then he kind of went in a different direction (with) the offense.”

It will be interesting to see how Holloway develops under Nate Oates’ watch at Alabama as the Crimson Tide returns star guard Mark Sears for next season, and added five-star guard Labaron Philon from the high school ranks. As for Auburn, the Tigers welcome five-star guard [autotag]Tahaad Pettiford[/autotag] to the Plains as a true freshman and former Furman star [autotag]JP Pegues[/autotag] to its guard rotation. Expect [autotag]Chaney Johnson[/autotag] and [autotag]Chad Baker-Mazara[/autotag] to see a larger role this season as well.

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How Miles Kelly’s pledge affects Auburn in On3’s way-too-early top-25 rankings

Auburn acquired wing help over the weekend by adding former Georgia Tech guard Miles Kelly from the transfer portal.

Auburn basketball filled another need over the weekend by adding former Georgia Tech guard [autotag]Miles Kelly[/autotag] to its roster from the transfer portal.

Kelly is Auburn’s third transfer portal addition of the offseason, joining former Furman guard [autotag]JP Pegues[/autotag] and former SMU forward [autotag]Ja’Heim Hudson[/autotag]. Kelly has averaged double-figures in points over the last two seasons at Georgia Tech and reached a career-high 5.5 rebounds last season.

Adding Kelly was important for Auburn, as the Tigers earned assistance on the wing. The commitment also impressed On3’s James Fletcher, who has placed Auburn at No. 8 in his “way-too-early top-25” ranking following Kelly’s pledge.

Auburn got a transfer portal commitment from Miles Kelly this week to sure up the wing scoring and provide help to the backcourt which includes veteran transfer JP Pegues.

Auburn will boast one of the most experienced rosters during the 2024-25 season, as 10 seniors will make up the roster including returning starters [autotag]Johni Broome[/autotag] and [autotag]Chris Moore[/autotag].

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Former Georgia Tech guard Miles Kelly commits to Auburn

As rosters begin to fill out for the 2024-25 college basketball season, Auburn lands another talent out of the transfer portal in Miles Kelly

Auburn basketball is continuing to work through the offseason, attempting to fill out its roster for the 2024-25 season. Some of that work is coming through the transfer portal, where the Tigers have made some significant moves.

Auburn was able to make another notable addition to its roster, as former Georgia Tech combo guard [autotag]Miles Kelly[/autotag] announced his commitment to the Plains on Sunday.

Kelly commits to the program after having entered the transfer portal on April 29. He spent the previous three years of his college career with the Yellow Jackets.

He started in all 32 games last season, shooting 36.9% from the field and 32.1% from 3-point range. He was the leading scorer with Georgia Tech last year, as well, dropping 13.9 points per game.

Earning an Honorable Mention for All-ACC honors in the 2023-24 campaign, Kelly’s experience fills out a highly veteran group for head coach [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag]. He will join transfers [autotag]JP Pegues[/autotag] and [autotag]Ja’Heim Hudson[/autotag] on the roster in Auburn.

With the addition, Kelly now fills out the Tigers’ 12th scholarship spot out of a possible 13, likely being the final addition for the team for next season.

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Auburn receives prediction for Georgia Tech transfer Miles Kelly

Kelly averaged 13.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game last season at Georgia Tech.

The transfer portal season in college basketball has been hectic since the offseason started, with big names from last season moving all around the country and shifting up rosters. Auburn is a team who is making big moves, and looking to make more.

One such hope that the Tigers have is to land Georgia Tech transfer [autotag]Miles Kelly[/autotag], who received a prediction to land on the Plains on Thursday by Jeffrey Lee of Auburn Live.

Kelly entered the transfer portal on April 29 after spending the last three seasons of his college career with the Yellow Jackets.

He averaged 11.1 points per game over the course of his time with Georgia Tech. Kelly started all 32 games in the 2023-24 season and shot 36.9% from the field, including 32.1% from 3-point range. He also was a 78.6% free throw shooter in his three years.

The 6-6, 180-pound combo guard had a successful campaign on the boards last year, averaging 5.5 rebounds per game. He also shared the ball more than he had his whole career, racking up 59 assists for the Yellow Jackets.

Kelly was also awarded for his play last season, earning an Honorable Mention for All-ACC honors.

A commitment from Kelly would add to a portal class that already includes Furman transfer [autotag]JP Pegues[/autotag] and SMU transfer [autotag]Ja’Heim Hudson[/autotag].

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Could Auburn’s 2024-25 nonconference slate be its toughest yet?

After suffering an early NCAA Tournament exit, Auburn is set to enhance its nonconference schedule for next season.

Auburn basketball played the 10th toughest schedule in the SEC last season. As a partial result, the Tigers exited the NCAA Tournament earlier than expected with a first-round loss to Yale.

Head coach [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag] looks to put his team in a better position to win more meaningful games next season by piecing together what could be the Tigers’ toughest nonconference schedule in recent memory.

Before Monday’s Bruce Pearl Fore the Children Golf Classic at Willow Point Golf and Country Club in Alexander City, Pearl met with the media to discuss several topics including scheduling. Pearl says that Auburn fans can expect his team to play the toughest nonconference schedule of his 11-year Auburn tenure.

“We’re going to play a non-conference schedule, some of it has been released and some of it you guys have heard about, but that hasn’t been released yet…we’re going to have the toughest non-conference schedule we’ve ever had,” Pearl said Monday.

Auburn is scheduled to play in the Maui Invitational early next season which includes powers such as North Carolina, UConn, and Iowa State. Justin Hokanson of Auburn Live says that Auburn could also play Purdue, Houston, and NC State in neutral site action. Mixing those opponents in with an ACC foe as part of the ACC-SEC Challenge could provide Auburn with a solid resume heading into a revamped SEC schedule that includes newcomers Oklahoma and Texas.

Auburn finished the 2023-24 season with the No. 60 overall toughest schedule according to KenPom, which ranked No. 10 in the SEC. The Tigers played several power programs such as Notre Dame, Indiana, Virginia Tech, and USC in nonconference play last season. However, those four teams combined to build a 66-67 record with neither program finishing higher than No. 58 in the KenPom, nor providing Auburn with a quad 1 win.

The Tigers will look to build on its 2023-24 success by returning several notable players including [autotag]Johni Broome[/autotag], [autotag]Denver Jones[/autotag], and [autotag]Chad Baker-Mazara[/autotag] as well as newcomers [autotag]JP Pegues[/autotag], [autotag]Tahaad Pettiford[/autotag], and [autotag]Ja’Heim Hudson[/autotag].

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Jersey numbers revealed for Auburn basketball’s 2024-25 additions

Check out which jersey number Auburn’s new roster additions will be wearing next season.

Next season, Auburn will be flaunting a new-look roster following the departures of players such as [autotag]Jaylin Williams[/autotag], [autotag]KD Johnson[/autotag], and [autotag]Aden Holloway[/autotag]. Several key players including [autotag]Johni Broome[/autotag] and [autotag]Denver Jones[/autotag] return while [autotag]JP Pegues[/autotag] and [autotag]Tahaad Pettiford[/autotag] join the program.

Auburn basketball recently revealed the jersey numbers for several incoming players and a number change for a returning contributor. Guard Denver Jones will switch numbers from No. 12 to No. 2 this season, taking over the number previously worn by Auburn’s all-time winningest player, Jaylin Williams. During his first season on the Plains, Jones started in 33 games while averaging 9.1 points per game and recording 25 steals in 35 games.

Auburn’s lone transfer to this point, All-SoCon guard JP Pegues, will wear No. 1, taking the place of former guard and Alabama transfer Aden Holloway. The Nashville native earned all SoCon honors by scoring 18.4 points and recording 4.8 assists per game as a junior at Furman.

Next is Auburn’s top signee, Tahaad Pettiford. Pettiford signed with Auburn as a five-star composite guard from Jersey City, New Jersey. He is the nation’s No. 2 point guard from the 2025 cycle and was the No. 3 player from New Jersey. He will wear No. 0, previously worn by KD Johnson.

The final notable jersey number reveal is for [autotag]Jahki Howard[/autotag], the four-star forward who joined Pettiford in signing with Auburn as part of the 2024 class. Howard will wear No. 3 this season, previously worn by [autotag]Tre Donaldson[/autotag], who transferred to Michigan during the offseason.

Outside of Auburn’s known departures, Matt Cohen of AL.com reports that former walk-on Carter Sobera will not return to the team for the 2024-25 season. Sobera is known for being awarded a scholarship last season. His Auburn career ends with 0.1 points, 0.4 rebounds, and a 33% field goal percentage over three seasons.

The 2024-25 roster update has not been finalized as Auburn is still welcoming potential transfers for visits including former Texas forward Dillon Mitchell.

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UTSA Transfer Jordan Ivy-Curry lists Auburn in his final three

The senior guard is coming off a superb season for the Roadrunners by averaging 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3 assists per game.

Former UTSA guard [autotag]Jordan Ivy-Curry[/autotag] has listed Auburn as one of the three final programs he’ll be looking to transfer to next college basketball season. The Tigers join ACC program Wake Forest and recent Big 12 addition UCF as the three finalists on Ivy-Curry’s list. He is set to visit all three schools this week, with his trip to the Plains being the final stop on Thursday.

The senior guard is coming off a superb season for the Roadrunners averaging 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. The offensive output was by far the best of his four-year college career, which started at UTSA before the La Marque, TX native took a one-year pit stop to play for Pacific.

Ivy-Curry was set to join the Virginia Tech Hokies shortly after he entered the transfer portal but decided to re-open his recruitment, giving Auburn a chance to snag another mid-major guard after missing out on Duke Miles to Oklahoma late last month.

If [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag] and the Tiger staff can land the electrifying guard, he would provide a nice complimentary piece to the newly acquired [autotag]JP Pegues[/autotag] and incumbent [autotag]Denver Jones[/autotag] and [autotag]Chad Baker-Mazara[/autotag]. We’ll see if he decides his future after his visits conclude later this week.

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