This Auburn basketball freshman brings a 'different type of energy' to Elite Eight run
ATLANTA — One year after being bounced in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, top-seeded Auburn is surging into an Elite Eight matchup with second-seeded Michigan State.
Freshman guard Tahaad Pettiford has been nothing short of electric throughout the Tigers’ run — helping secure just the third Elite Eight appearance in Auburn history. The Jersey City, New Jersey native, despite starting just one of Auburn’s 36 games, has made his impact felt.
“He's from Jersey, so he has a little different type of energy to him. He's not quiet, though,” senior forward Johni Broome said.
He scored 16 points and had five assists in the Tigers’ first-round game, and then followed with a 23-point performance against Creighton.
“It’s amazing just having guys like this in my circle,” Pettiford said Saturday. “These are my brothers, and having the relationship I have with them is so important.”
On Friday, Pettiford once again showed out, punishing fifth-seeded Michigan down the stretch with a 20-point outing that saw the Tigers secure a come-from-behind win.
“Just having the trust and the confidence from your teammates and coaches in games like that obviously helps a lot,” Pettiford said.
Pettiford struggled from behind the arc in the first half, but was the first player out of the locker room at halftime to get shots up — which clearly paid off.
He sank a deep 3-pointer just minutes into the second half of action, igniting a 20-2 run.
Pettiford said growing up that he watched his older cousin — and James Harden — to model his game.
“It’s a game of runs,” he said. “You take a lead and you’re not guaranteed to hold that lead, so just being able to stay composed and do what you have to do.”
Auburn vs. Michigan State time, TV channel
- Time: 5:05 p.m. ET Sunday
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: Fubo (free trial)
Andy Mathis is a student in the University of Georgia's Sports Media Certificate program.