The Auburn Tigers secured their sixth win in eight games under new head coach Steven Pearl on Wednesday night, delivering an early Thanksgiving gift to the Auburn Family with an 85 to 74 triumph over St. John’s in the Players Era Tournament.
But neither Pearl nor the team’s resilience is the main storyline in New York City today as the Macy’s Day Parade moves down Sixth Avenue. Instead, The New York Post’s Zach Braziller pointed the finger at Rick Pitino’s squad, accusing them of falling apart defensively after halftime.
“If Tuesday’s impressive blowout of Baylor was a step forward, Wednesday was a major step back,” Braziller wrote. “With a chance to end the trip on a positive note, St. John’s was careless, weak on defense, and squandered an eleven point second half lead in a disappointing 85 to 74 loss to number twenty one Auburn.
“The Red Storm were outscored by twenty points in the second half and by seventeen over the final nine minutes and fifty three seconds.
“There was essentially no defense at all, aside from a brief stretch late in the first half.”
Braziller also highlighted the brilliance of Tahaad Pettiford, who lit up St. John’s for twenty seven points. His performance was not limited to scoring; he pulled down four rebounds, handed out two assists, collected three steals, and even recorded a block.
Pettiford had led the team with sixteen points in a blowout loss to Michigan, then followed that with twenty four points on nine of eighteen shooting in Auburn’s eighty four to seventy three victory over Oregon in their Players Era Tournament opener.
This was certainly the type of performance Pitino likely addressed sternly in the locker room, but Auburn’s win was just as much about what Pearl’s team did right as it was about St. John’s shortcomings. The Tigers dominated the boards and came out on top in assists and turnovers, showing a collective determination to compete for all forty minutes. That same intensity was not matched by their Big East opponents.
Pettiford stood out as the team’s clear leader on the floor, while Pearl earned praise for keeping his squad composed against a roster considered more talented. Pitino may draw the attention, but instead of focusing on the frustrations of the losing side, the real recognition belongs with the victors.