No. 22 Auburn confirms shocking update regarding starting forward KeShawn Murphy once again when the Tigers host Wofford at Neville Arena.
Murphy, a 6-foot-10 transfer from Mississippi State, has battled multiple injuries early in the season. A preseason knee issue resurfaced during Auburn’s exhibition against Oklahoma State, and he later suffered an ankle injury in the season opener against Bethune-Cookman.
Before going down, Murphy made a strong impression in that game, posting 17 points and eight rebounds in just 23 minutes.
“Murph is progressing from his ankle injury,” assistant coach Steven Pearl said. “He’ll be available in an emergency situation if we need him against Wofford, but we don’t want to rush him back… We’re going to try not to play Murph.”
Despite limited action so far, Murphy remains a key piece for the Tigers. His length, rebounding, and interior scoring are vital to Auburn’s success—especially with a top-ranked Houston team on deck this weekend. Ensuring he’s healthy for that matchup will be a top priority.
In Murphy’s absence, Auburn will continue to rely on its deep frontcourt rotation. Keyshawn Hall and Sebastian Williams-Adams have provided consistent scoring and rebounding inside, while Emeka Oporum looks to build on a breakout showing against Merrimack, where he tallied 11 points on perfect shooting with four rebounds and two blocks in 19 minutes. Filip Jovic will also see extended minutes, offering size and depth in the post.
Tipoff between Auburn and Wofford is set for 7 p.m. CT Tuesday at Neville Arena.