DURHAM, N.C. — The No. 2-ranked Auburn basketball team faced its first defeat of the season against No. 9 Duke, falling 84-78 at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Wednesday evening. Despite being one of the oldest teams in college basketball, Auburn’s experience was outmatched by Duke’s impressive lineup of young talent.
Duke’s defense, renowned for its efficiency, effectively neutralized Auburn’s strengths, forcing the Tigers into a challenging position. However, individual performances from players like Johni Broome and Tahaad Pettiford emerged, with both scoring 20 points each, and Broome securing another double-double. Chad Baker-Mazara added 17 points while Miles Kelly contributed 14, showcasing glimpses of Auburn’s potential.
Despite the individual accomplishments, Auburn struggled as a team. Duke displayed offensive prowess, exposing gaps in Auburn’s defense and dominating the rebounding battle. Coach Bruce Pearl highlighted the game as a learning opportunity for his players, acknowledging the need for adaptation as several team members are adjusting to new roles.
Pearl noted that while expectations for Duke’s improvement are high due to their youth, Auburn’s newcomers also need to step up. The loss highlights that although the team has plenty of experience, they are still coming together and need to refine their game. The fact that some key players like Denver Jones and Dylan Cardwell were not at their best further underscores the challenges ahead.
In light of this loss, Pearl expressed hopefulness for future performances, emphasizing that the team can learn from what went wrong against Duke. The Tigers need to focus on control, particularly in turning over their opponents and improving on the boards.
Despite the setback, there is optimism for Auburn’s upcoming games. The Tigers now turn their focus to Richmond, scheduled to play at 11 a.m. CST on Sunday at Neville Arena, followed by home games against Georgia State and a match against Ohio State, which will provide a chance to regroup before facing No. 7 Purdue on December 21.
Ultimately, the adversity faced against Duke may serve as a catalyst for greater cohesion and improvement for Auburn, allowing them to strengthen their team dynamics and skill sets in the weeks to come. Fans can remain hopeful that this loss will only serve to fuel a deeper commitment to growth and success as the season progresses.