The Auburn Tigers moved to 2–0 on the young season after a strong all-around showing that had plenty of highlights, a few things to clean up, and a lot to like about this team’s direction.
Auburn shot 50% from the field, only 25% from three (6-of-24) — and that’s the one stat that clearly still needs improvement. Still, the Tigers dominated both halves, pouring in 56 second-half points to blow the game wide open and keep the crowd rocking all night.
Hall Handles Business Again
The story starts with Keyshawn Hall, who continues to show why he’s the focal point of this offense early in the season. He dropped 25 points on 6-of-9 shooting, adding 14 rebounds for his first double-double of the year.
And as expected, Hall lived at the line — he went 12-of-13 on free throws, drawing contact and making Merrimack pay. “Free throw merchant” fits perfectly here — he’s going to get to the stripe a lot this season, and he’s making them count.
No turnovers. Efficient. Physical. Dominant.
Sixteen of Hall’s 25 came in the second half, as he once again took over when Auburn needed a scoring spark.
The Supporting Cast Steps Up
Freshman Sebastian Williams-Adams continues to shine early in his Auburn career. He stuffed the stat sheet with 14 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and a block, while leading the team with a +30 plus-minus — the best mark of the night.
Williams-Adams just affects winning. His IQ, energy, and ball movement are obvious every possession. He’s quickly becoming one of those “everything” guys this roster needs.
Tahaad Pettiford added 13 points despite some cold shooting (4-of-13, 1-of-7 from three), but his activity and +28 rating show how much he impacts the game.
Then there’s Emeka Opurum, who made the most of his minutes: 11 points on a perfect 4-for-4 from the floor, including a few rim-rattling dunks, 4 boards, and 2 blocks. Coach Steven Pearl said after the game that the matchup played right into Opurum’s strengths:
“That zone was good for him because he’s so big and tall. They didn’t have any size to deal with him when the ball got into the high post. It was great to see him have some success — hopefully it builds his confidence.”
Abdulla Bashir added 10 points and a couple of threes off the bench, while Filip Jovic grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds and finished +21 in 18 minutes.
Numbers That Tell the Story
Auburn dominated the glass — 55 rebounds to Merrimack’s 24. That’s a +31 margin, one of the largest in program history. The Tigers pulled down 21 offensive boards, turning those into 26 second-chance points.
They also turned 11 Merrimack turnovers into 21 points, and outscored the Warriors 42–14 in the paint. The balance was there — 14 assists on 31 made shots, five players in double figures, and 28 points off the bench.
Merrimack launched 32 threes and only made eight. Auburn’s switching defense took them out of rhythm and forced them to settle, though Pearl noted that communication still needs to tighten up before facing stronger opponents.
“Our defense bothered them, but there were still too many point-switches instead of contact-switches,” Pearl said. “Against a better team, that’s something that can burn us. But our guys competed.”
Still Room to Grow
Even with the win, Auburn’s perimeter shooting continues to be a work in progress. That 25% from deep has to rise for this team to reach its full offensive potential.
Right now, the Tigers aren’t really playing through anyone offensively — Hall is getting buckets, but the system isn’t built around feeding him and forcing defenses to adjust just yet. That could evolve as the season moves forward.
Last season, the offense flowed through Janai Broome’s post touches and passing. This year, the dynamic is different — Hall is a shooter who can stretch the floor, not a traditional post facilitator. Once Auburn finds its rhythm in how to play off his scoring gravity, the offense could take a big leap.
Final Thoughts
Auburn’s first two games have both been 95-point performances, the first time that’s happened since 1998. The Tigers are playing with tempo, physicality, and a clear sense of depth across the roster.
Sure, there are things to polish — free throws, three-point shooting, sharper execution — but this team looks deep, energetic, and ready to grind through November learning how to put it all together.
A sellout crowd. First double-digit win. Another step forward.