Auburn Gets Healthy and Hungry After Much-Needed Holiday Reset
After a brutal stretch that saw them face five top-30 opponents in just six games - including matchups with the No. 1, No. 2, and No. 5 teams in the country - Auburn basketball finally caught its breath over the holiday break. And it couldn’t have come at a better time.
The Tigers returned home after a tough road loss to Purdue and didn’t step back into Neville Arena until Friday. That time off wasn’t just about rest - it was about recovery. And based on what the coaching staff saw when the team hit the floor again, the break delivered exactly what Auburn needed.
“We needed to get our legs back and just get healthy,” said assistant coach Steven Pearl, reflecting on what he called one of the best practices of the season.
That’s especially good news for two key starters who had been banged up: point guard Tahaad Pettiford and center KeShawn Murphy. Both left the Purdue game early with injuries - Pettiford with an ankle tweak, and Murphy with another lower-body issue in what’s been a frustrating run of minor setbacks for the big man.
But on Friday, both were back on the court, full participants in a high-energy practice that gave the staff reason to feel optimistic heading into the final non-conference game of the year.
Pettiford, who was seen in a walking boot after the Purdue game, appears to have bounced back quickly.
“Yeah, he’s good,” Pearl said. “Had a great practice yesterday.
Responded to some tough coaching and had one of his better practices of the year. Ankle’s fine.
He’s tweaked it a few times before - even in high school. It’s something he just has to stay on top of with treatment.”
Murphy’s return might be just as significant. The 6-foot-10 Birmingham native has shown flashes this season - none brighter than his performance against Houston - but staying healthy has been the challenge. After a few days of rest and some time at home, Pearl said Murphy looked rejuvenated.
“I think four days at home and some home cooking was really good for Murph,” Pearl said. “He was bouncing around the gym yesterday, dunking all over the place. He looked like the Murph that played against Houston.”
That Houston game tape has become a bit of a motivational tool. Pearl and the staff went back and pulled clips to remind Murphy of what he’s capable of when he’s fully engaged - active on both ends, playing with confidence, and moving without hesitation.
“I was like, ‘Murph, that’s the guy we need,’” Pearl said. “You were the Murph we know you can be. Let’s get more of that.”
The message is clear: For Murphy to be the difference-maker Auburn believes he can be, he has to trust his body - and play with the energy and confidence that made him such a problem for Houston’s frontcourt.
“It’s hard to be effective when you’re scared to jump,” Pearl said. “But for him to be effective, he’s got to play with that effort and energy we know he’s capable of.”
With both Pettiford and Murphy trending in the right direction, Auburn expects to be at full strength for Monday night’s matchup against Queens - a relatively new face in Division I but no one to overlook. It’s the Tigers’ final tune-up before SEC play begins next week with a rivalry road trip to Georgia.
Pearl sees the Queens game as more than just a non-conference finale. It’s a chance for this Auburn team - rested, recharged, and finally healthy - to start building momentum heading into what promises to be a grueling SEC schedule.
“It’s a team that’s got pieces to win games,” Pearl said. “For us, we talk about it ad nauseam: Good teams win, great teams get better. For us to be a great team, we’ve just got to continue to get better.”
That’s the focus now. Not just surviving the schedule - but growing through it. Auburn’s holiday reset may have come just in time.