Bruce Pearl’s Actual Thoughts on the Tahaad Pettiford ‘Problem’ Before Final Four
Bruce Pearl and the Auburn Tigers are heading back to the Final Four for the first time since 2019, and Tahaad Pettiford has been a huge factor.
Pettiford has been solid during his freshman year with Auburn, averaging 11.7 points and 2.9 assists per game. However, he has turned his game up a notch in the NCAA Tournament, averaging 17.3 points, tying All-American Johni Broome for the team lead.
Despite playing nearly 30 minutes a night in the NCAA Tournament, Auburn has elected to keep Pettiford coming off the bench. Instead, Pearl starts senior guards Denver Jones and Miles Kelly. However, Pettiford is usually playing at the end of games.
Pettiford did receive one start on March 4 against Texas A&M because Jones suffered an injury the game before, ruling him out.
Ahead of the Final Four, Pearl spoke during a Thursday press conference. When asked about Pettiford embracing his sixth-man role, Pearl shared his thoughts on what some would expect to be a “problem.”
“I suppose some would just sort of expect that to be a problem,” Pearl said. “Great player. One of our best players, and yet only started one game because I think Denver was injured. And not a word. Not a body language, shoulder shrug, roll eye ever from Tahaad.”
Pearl continued to mention what Pettiford’s father, Travis Pettiford, would do if his son were to start complaining.
“Because if he did, his dad would slap it right out of him,” Pearl added. “Travis. In the sense that to have great respect for the guys like Denver or Chad or Chaney that were in front of him. And they were seniors… Now, he may not feel the same way if he’s not in there at the end. And in case you hadn’t noticed, he’s almost always in there at the end.”
Pearl finished with a strong message on his freshman.
“I just think it’s about being raised right,” Pearl continued. “It’s about being raised to have a level of respect and manners for the position of a coach having to make those decisions and a player that is not worried about what he can’t control.”
Pettiford and Pearl will look to advance to the national championship on Saturday at 6:09 p.m. ET when they face the Florida Gators in the Final Four.
