Auburn Looks to Correct the Chaos Against Merrimack
No. 20 Auburn returns to Neville tonight with a chip on its shoulder and a point to prove. After barely surviving an overtime scare against Bethune-Cookman in the season opener, the Tigers now face Merrimack in a matchup that’s less about the opponent and more about Auburn fixing itself. Auburn is entering as a 25.5-point favorite. That same number they failed to cover on Monday.
Steven Pearl’s debut came with fireworks, frustration, and one universal takeaway: the Tigers lacked discipline. Sloppy turnovers, missed assignments, and a late-game foul with 0.5 seconds left nearly handed them a historic loss. Pearl said it was a valuable early test of adversity. Tonight, it’s about the response. Auburn has had four full days to study the film, reinforce defensive fundamentals, and demand sharper execution. Expect an intense focus on limiting mistakes and avoiding the kind of mental lapses that put them in overtime against a SWAC opponent.
Merrimack presents a unique, but manageable challenge. The Warriors play a slow, deliberate pace and rely heavily on a 4-out-1 zone defense. It’s the opposite of Auburn’s high-tempo style, but it’s not built to handle the Tigers’ size and athleticism. Last season, Merrimack ranked 359th nationally in rebounding — and they’ve shown little improvement so far. Meanwhile, Auburn is among the top offensive rebounding teams in the country. This is where the game will be decided: in the paint and on the boards.
All eyes will be on Keyshawn Hall, who carried the offense with 28 points in the opener, including 16 from the free-throw line. His physical presence is a mismatch against Merrimack’s frontcourt. Steven Pearl will want to limit his minutes tonight if the Tigers can pull away early — with tougher opponents like Houston looming. Tahaad Pettiford also has something to prove. He shot just 4-of-13 from the field against Bethune-Cookman and will need a more efficient night if he wants to solidify his role as the offensive lead guard. That job isn’t guaranteed.
Bench players like Ashton Hagans, Kaden Magwood, and Sebastian Williams-Adams could play major roles tonight as Pearl begins sorting out his rotation. This is a chance to reward defensive effort and floor discipline, not just raw talent. The depth on this roster is one of Auburn’s greatest weapons — and we may see that on display more than we did Monday.
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The backcourt rotation changes tonight. Don’t be surprised if Ashton Hagans or Kaden Magwood plays more minutes than Pettiford. After Monday’s sloppy finish, Pearl is sending a message — minutes are earned, not handed out. Pettiford may sit longer than expected once the game is under control, and the bench will have every opportunity to show it belongs. This is the first real test of Auburn’s internal accountability, and if they’re serious about contending, tonight should look like a statement.
This is the bounce-back performance Steven Pearl needs. Auburn finally covers the -25.5 spread, controlling the second half through physical dominance and suffocating rebounding. Merrimack’s deliberate pace may keep things close early, but the Tigers’ depth and athleticism should eventually break the game open.
The prediction: Auburn 85, Merrimack 58.