Good Morning, Auburn Family. A McDonald’s All-American, freshman Tahaad Pettiford earned scholarship offers from elite programs from coast to coast. 

He chose Auburn.

“I came to win,” Pettiford said.

Win, he has. One of two true freshmen on a senior-laden team, Pettiford and Jahki Howard have earned key roles on the nation’s second-ranked team. 

A left-handed sharpshooter, Pettiford boasts a 42.3 3-point shooting percentage through Auburn’s first 15 games.

Read “Above the Rim With Tahaad Pettiford” for more.  

What else do we have mixed into the Brew for your today? Check it out below!

💨 Ja’Kobe Tharp was to prestigious Bowerman Preseason Watch List
🤸🏽 Get to know Auburn gymnast Alex Irvine
🐅 And much, much more!

🎥 WAREAGLE+: FACE TO FACE

🔼 Tharp Speed Strikes Again. Auburn track & field sophomore Ja’Kobe Tharp was named to the prestigious Bowerman Preseason Watch List, as announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). 

As a freshman, Tharp wrote his name in the school record books en route to winning an SEC Outdoor championship and finishing a national runner up in the 110m hurdles. Last season Tharp made his watch list career debut on May 16th. Entering his second season for the Tigers, he starts on the preseason list for the first time in his collegiate career. 

🔼 Tigers > Bruins. With the 2025 gymnastics season approaching, it is time to meet all the new faces joining the squad this year. Today is a transfer from UCLA, Alex Irvine!
 
Q: What was your first visit to Auburn like?
A: “My visit here was perfect. I was drained by the end of my second recruiting process while I was in the transfer portal but something about being in Auburn felt easy and took a lot of my stress off.”
 
Q: What are you most looking forward to this season?
A: “This season I am looking forward to being Auburn on the competition floor and representing the team and the SEC!”

🤸🏽 Read the full Q&A and the lengthy list of Irvine’s pre-Auburn accomplishments. 👀

🔼 One IS the Loneliest Number. SEC leading scorer Izzy Higginbottom scored 36 points and hit a game-winning free throw with 2.4 seconds remaining to lead Arkansas to a 59-58 victory over Auburn Thursday at Neville Arena. 

“Higginbottom took us to the hole,” head coach Johnnie Harris said. “We either bailed her out with a foul or she made some tough shots.”

Auburn (9-7, 0-3) returns to the road to face its third ranked conference opponent Sunday at No. 15 Kentucky at 2 p.m. CT at Memorial Coliseum in Lexington on SEC Network and the Auburn Sports Network.

🏆 VICTORY FORMATION

Join On To Victory, the Official NIL Collective of Auburn student-athletes, for as little as $17/month! Top NIL programs attract top talent. Help us build the best program in the nation! Become a member today.

🐅 ONE BIG THING

Limitless Potential. Don’tcha wish it was spring already!?

🤔 TIGER TRIVIA

📬 SPREAD THE WORD

Do you know a friend or family member who is an Auburn fan? Simply forward them this email, and they can sign up to receive the Brew by clicking the link below to subscribe. The Brew is sent every weekday and is completely free!

📅 ON THE DOCKET

Friday, Jan. 10
👟 XC-Track @ Harvey Glance Tigers & Tide Dual Meet - All Day Tickets | Meet Info

Saturday, Jan. 11
🌊 Swimming & Diving vs. South Carolina @ 10 a.m. CT
🤸🏽 Gymnastics vs. Penn State - San Antonio Invitational @ 12 p.m. CT
🤸🏽 Gymnastics vs. Maryland - San Antonio Invitational @ 12 p.m. CT
🤸🏽 Gymnastics vs. Arizona State - San Antonio Invitational @ 12 p.m. CT
🤸🏽 Gymnastics vs. Temple - San Antonio Invitational @ 12 p.m. CT
🏀 Men’s Basketball @ South Carolina @ 12 p.m. CT SEC ESPN | Live Stats

Sunday, Jan. 12
🏀 Women’s Basketball @ Kentucky @ 2 p.m. CT SEC ESPN | Live Stats

🐅 Go here to view the entire Auburn Athletics Calendar

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: Jaylin Williams!

Jaylin Williams and Johni Broome combined for 44 points to lead the 101-61 win over South Carolina, also shooting a combined 9-of-12 from beyond the arc. 

With top-ranked Tennessee falling at Florida Tuesday, Auburn (14-1, 2-0) has a path to the No. 1 ranking if the Tigers can earn another SEC road win tomorrow at South Carolina at noon CT.

WDE! 🦅

🐅 Have an amazing weekend, Auburn Fam!