2024-2025 Fighting Pearls

[Snaggletiger]

This is shaping up to be one hell of a wild season for The Fighting Pearls.  Not only is it by far, the toughest schedule Auburn’s ever played, but it may be the toughest in the entire country.  I don’t know how anybody could have a harder slate of games.  And a close look at the roster reveals that if some of the newcomers are as advertised, we have a club that can compete with anyone.  First, the schedule.

After two exhibition games, Furman and FAU, we open with Vermont, a perennial March Madness participant.  It gets real after that.  On the pre-conference list are:

Opening the Maui Invitational with #7 Iowa State.  The field includes #3 UConn, Memphis, Michigan State, Dayton and Colorado.

Houston #4

Duke #7

Purdue #14

Ohio State

Auburn comes in at #11 in the AP preseason poll.  There are 7 other SEC teams in the top 25, including Bama at #2.

This is a fun roster, on paper anyway.  As usual in this day and age, there’s a ton of turnover, but there’s a nice core of returning, very experienced players.  Also, as per usual, Bruce will most likely be rotating fresh players non-stop.

You have to start with Johni Broome, who I’ve already heard one analyst call the best player in the country.  Could be. 6’7” Chad Flagrant Baker Mazara returns as the second leading scorer.  Then you have big Dylan Cardwell and Chris Moore to bang on the inside, along with 6’7” Chaney Johnson patrolling the baseline.

Guard play is where it really gets interesting.  As stated, if the newcomers are the real deal, that position might be as solid as we’ve had since the Final 4 group.  6’4” Denver Jones returns.  Then, we have 6’2” JP Pegues, a transfer from Furman who averaged 18.1 ppg and 5 assists.  Throw in 6’6” Miles Kelly, who comes from Georgia Tech after being their leading scorer with 14 a game.  Top that off with High School McDonald’s All-American, 6’1” Tahaad Pettiford, and this could be an incredible backcourt.

Now, throw 6'6" Freshman, Jahki Howard into the mix.  He played his senior season at Atlanta Overtime Elite, averaging over 15 points a game.  He was the #1 high school dunker, and I believe is the guy going around on the Tik Toks, jumping over three people to slam at the outdoor dealio Auburn just did at Toomer's Corner.

If this team can navigate this schedule well enough to have another 20+ win season, they’ll go into March Madness as battle tested as any team in the nation.     

[jmar]

We are depending on a healthy Broome that will be doubled in close contests and at least two others to regularly put up double figures among the mixed bag of guards, CBM having the most well rounded game even as a small forward.

If Chaney can't emulate Jalen we have to depend on big bodies that can defend and power dunk once or twice a game.
Gets the fans excited.

Denver could also be the guy that provides some scoring balance.

[The Six]

Tonight, Bingville is in the form of Vermont.

Do the thing, Bruce. You're our only hope for sports glory anymore.

[The Six]

Catamounts vaporized.

On to the Houston Cougars.

[wesfau2]

Another dub for the balling tigers.

Started fast, got too loose/comfy with a big lead and let KSU claw back into it. 

Then, hit the gas and ran away with it.

Complacency against KSU isn't something that concerns me greatly.

Chaney and Tahaad are a lot of fun to watch.  Denver runs the point really well, too.

[Snaggletiger]

Another dub for the balling tigers.

Started fast, got too loose/comfy with a big lead and let KSU claw back into it. 

Then, hit the gas and ran away with it.

Complacency against KSU isn't something that concerns me greatly.

Chaney and Tahaad are a lot of fun to watch.  Denver runs the point really well, too.

Good shooting night overall from the floor, but around 25% from 3.  Broome really helps the percentages, being so good around the bucket.

[War Damn Six]

I was told that when I tuned in at the 6 minute mark of the first half that the subsequent lull was all my fault.

[Snaggletiger]

I was told that when I tuned in at the 6 minute mark of the first half that the subsequent lull was all my fault.

It's usually my fault.  I watched the Houston game from start to finish.  However, normally I can't do more than check back every few minutes.  Any length of Snags watch automatically puts a lid on the Auburn basket.

[chinook]

I was told that when I tuned in at the 6 minute mark of the first half that the subsequent lull was all my fault.

wrong. i texted the cool club ...looks like the white boys are going to play early tonight.  verify if you want.

[jmar]

We have a very good team but I still have reservations about the role of Cardwell beyond his ability to defend the rim.
Chaney can score and Moore can get a few buckets to give both Broome and Dylan some breaks but we need more offensive presence down low so Broome won't draw so much contact in the paint. He must stay healthy.

Broome doesn't get to the line enough.
Opponent's know this and they will lean and hammer on him to wear him down.

We are a defense first team with larger guards that can score in many ways and this imo is our only weakness to be exploited by the better teams on the schedule. 

[Snaggletiger]

We fell in love with the 3 in the first half, which helped keep UNA in the game. 

As far as the inside game, Chaney Johnson looked really good at times. I'm going to repeat what many have said, in that he really beefed up and improved his game in the offseason, but honestly, I wouldn't know, because I don't recall anything about him from last year. I just know he looks like someone who could be more assertive and become a legit scorer.

[jmar]

We fell in love with the 3 in the first half, which helped keep UNA in the game. 

As far as the inside game, Chaney Johnson looked really good at times. I'm going to repeat what many have said, in that he really beefed up and improved his game in the offseason, but honestly, I wouldn't know, because I don't recall anything about him from last year. I just know he looks like someone who could be more assertive and become a legit scorer.

I definitely think Chaney will mix it up more inside than Jalen did last season. We have great depth so there shouldn't be much of a drop in output.