Breaking News:The remarks made by the newcomers of Auburn men’s basketball regarding their initial appearances in the SEC.

Although the Auburn men’s basketball team has competed against one of the most challenging nonconference schedules in the nation, its newcomers have yet to experience the rigors of Southeastern Conference play. In 2025, the SEC is arguably stronger than ever, with all teams ranked 63rd or above in KenPom’s efficiency ratings. While Auburn has already faced a number of strong opponents, it has not yet encountered this level of competition on a consistent basis.

• Numerous key players for Auburn are already familiar with the intensity of SEC play, while Georgia Tech transfer Miles Kelly and true freshman guard Tahaad Pettiford are poised to face this new challenge as they addressed reporters on Friday afternoon, one day before their SEC debuts on Saturday. Kelly, who brings with him three seasons of experience from the ACC, acknowledged that although the ACC is a competitive conference, it does not quite match the SEC’s level in 2025. When asked to compare the two, he noted that both leagues feature high-quality basketball, but he anticipates that the increased physicality of the SEC will pose the most significant adjustment.

“The only thing I would say that people have warned me about with the SEC is that it is considerably more physical,” Kelly remarked. “We will see tomorrow if it lives up to that, but I believe both the ACC and SEC are high-caliber basketball conferences that receive significant recognition.” Additionally, Kelly emphasized the league’s depth, highlighting that maintaining health and being adequately prepared to compete is of paramount importance.

“We have numerous strong teams within this league, and any team has the potential to win or lose, even the top performers may falter,” stated Kelly. “Each game will present challenges. The team currently leading the conference could very well lose to the one ranked tenth, or however the standings are configured. Ultimately, it comes down to which team desires victory more.”

For Pettiford, he is preparing for his inaugural experience playing a collegiate conference schedule. When inquired about how he and the team plan to approach this challenge, he emphasized the importance of preparation. “We recognize that each week will present a difficult contest,” Pettiford remarked. “Every day, we must arrive ready and focus on properly preparing for the upcoming game. Our priority must be the game that lies ahead.” Pettiford has made significant contributions to Auburn this season, averaging 11.2 points per game, 3.1 assists, and a shooting percentage of 42.2% from three-point range. Additionally, he appears to reserve his most impressive performances for the most challenging games, scoring 21 points against Houston, 20 against Duke, 18 against Purdue, and 14 versus Iowa State.

• Pettiford was inquired about the source of his maturity that enables him to perform at such a level on prominent stages so early in his career. The freshman hailing from Jersey City, New Jersey, credited his basketball upbringing for this development. “I never really played with my age group while growing up,” Pettiford remarked. “My father consistently had me compete against players who were one or two years older, so I believe that engaging with older peers and participating in an adult league alongside my father significantly contributed to my development.”