In a surprising move, Auburn guard Tahaad Pettiford did not start in the team”s SEC opener against Georgia on Saturday afternoon. Speculation arose regarding Pettiford”s recent ankle injury, which he sustained during the Indy Classic against Purdue in December. However, Auburn head coach Steven Pearl clarified that Pettiford”s absence from the starting lineup was due to disciplinary reasons.
“It was a coach”s decision. It was a failure to meet our team”s standards and expectations,” Pearl stated in a postgame interview. “Tahaad”s got to do a better job of leading by example, and that”s something we continuously talk about.” Pearl emphasized the importance of Pettiford adhering to team standards, adding, “Until he does those things off the court… he”s got to stop putting me in these positions where I have to make difficult decisions. That”s part of growth, and that”s part of learning.”
Despite starting from the bench, Pettiford managed to score 21 points in the game, although he fouled out in the final seconds of regulation as Auburn fell to Georgia 104-100. Pearl refrained from detailing the specific actions that led to Pettiford”s benching but noted that he had faced legal issues over the summer, including an arrest for DUI in July.
“We made the decision yesterday, and he had a great practice and response to it yesterday. But he”s got some things that he”s got to fix,” Pearl remarked. He further stated, “If he”s not going to live up to those expectations… and that”s to all of them. We told everybody when we got back from Purdue, “We”re going to tighten some things up a little bit.” Guys need to be on time, and guys need to do the things that we”re asking them to do.”
Coach Pearl reinforced the team”s commitment to maintaining high standards, stating, “If they don”t, you”ll come off the bench or lose your rotation. We”ve got a standard, we”ve got an expectation in this program, and it”s going to be upheld.”
Pettiford is currently Auburn“s second leading scorer, averaging 15.2 points per game, and he also leads the team with 0.9 blocks per game this season.
