AUBURN, Ala. – Tahaad Pettiford, a surprising defensive presence for the Auburn Tigers, has emerged as a key contributor this season, leading the team with 11 blocked shots despite standing at just 6-foot-1. Pettiford is determined to support his teammates in every imaginable way, whether it involves blocking shots, stealing the ball, or taking charges. “I kind of enjoy chasing blocks down,” he said, emphasizing his commitment to whatever role is necessary to help the team succeed.
While his adept shot-blocking has certainly bolstered the Tigers’ defense, Pettiford’s scoring ability has proven even more essential. The left-handed guard has showcased his offensive talent recently, making 10 field goals in two of the last three games and hitting 46.1 percent of his three-point attempts in the last four outings. He reached a personal milestone last week, scoring a career-high 30 points against the highly ranked No. 2 Arizona. Despite his individual achievement, Pettiford remains focused on the team’s success, noting, “It was pretty good but it really didn’t matter; we lost so I’ll just try to do it the next game to help the team win.” He currently averages 15.7 points per game, making him Auburn’s second-leading scorer.
After a brief hiatus for final exams, No. 21 Auburn is set to return to the court on Saturday in Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, the home venue for the NBA’s Hawks. For Pettiford, the opportunity to play in such a venue holds special significance. “I love it. The NBA is my dream. Being able to play there anytime I can and show what I can do,” he remarked enthusiastically.
In this year’s Holiday Hoopsgiving, the Tigers will face off against Chattanooga, a team known for its heavy reliance on three-point shooting. Chattanooga made an impressive 21 of their 49 attempts from beyond the arc in their latest game, launching a total of 50 three-pointers in their season opener. Auburn coach Steven Pearl acknowledged the Mocs’ offensive threat, noting, “They have six guys who are making a 3 a game and multiple guys making two or three a game. Shooting 35 percent from 3, they do a great job assisting the ball. It’s going to be a handful.” Pearl expressed excitement for the upcoming game, highlighting the fun atmosphere of playing in Atlanta, a venue that has historically drawn strong support from Auburn fans.
With only three games left before the Southeastern Conference (SEC) season begins, Auburn (7-3) will take on Chattanooga (5-5) Saturday at 3:30 p.m. CT, with coverage available on the SEC Network. Auburn Sports Network will provide commentary from Andy Burcham and Randall Dickey.
Recognizing the challenges of the upcoming schedule, Pearl stated, “We really battled tested our guys in the first part of the season getting ready for conference and postseason play. We’ve got to get healthy, we’ve got to get rested and we’ve got to play with unbelievable effort and energy these next three so we can continue to grow in the areas we need to grow to play another gauntlet of an SEC schedule.”
This matchup will mark Auburn’s sixth consecutive appearance in the Holiday Hoopsgiving event, where the Tigers hold a solid 4-1 record in past contests.
