Today on the Plains: Opening Day, Charles Barkley, Recruiting, & Toomer’s Oaks

Today on the Plains: It’s opening day for the Auburn baseball team as the Tigers host Binghamton at 3PM Plainsman Park.

Freshman All-American and Golden Spikes Award watch lister Keegan Thompson will be on the mound and Tim Hudson is throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. Gates open at 2PM. War Eagle!

A Busy Week For Charles Barkley News

Earlier this week, former Auburn basketball star Charles Barkley made news when he went on a rant on “Inside the NBA” about analytics and Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey.

“I’m not worried about Daryl Morey,” Barkley said. “He’s one of those idiots who believes in analytics. He went out and got James Harden and Dwight Howard, and then he’s going to tell me that’s analytics? Then he went out and got Trevor Ariza. Then he went out and got Josh Smith. I’ve always believed analytics is crap. I’ve never mentioned the Rockets as a legitimate contender, because they’re not. Listen, I wouldn’t know Daryl Morey if he walked in this room right now.”

Oct 5, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Charles Barkley laughs with Dr. James Andrews prior to the game between the Auburn Tigers and the Mississippi Rebels at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Those comments created some controversy, a bit of backlash, and some wide-raging opinions. Keith Olbermann called Barkley “an idiot,” Lesley Visser called him “a boob,” and Mark Cuban said Barkley is “half right.” 

But that was far from the last we heard from Sir Charles this week.

Wednesday, Barkley played some hallway golf with Jimmy Fallon and Hugh Grant. Thursday, Jesse Washington of ESPN.com and the upcoming theundefeated.com took an in-depth look at Barkley and his hometown of Leeds.

Thursday night on Inside the NBA, Barkley again addressed Daryl Morey.

“I think more people agree with me who know basketball than disagree,” Barkley said. “I’ve had at least four or five NBA coaches call me loving what I said. I saw Mark Cuban said something. I also saw a couple of coaches say analytics are a small part of it but a big thing is what Charles said is correct.

“People like for Charles to be honest unless he says something different from them,” Barkley continued. “People like you as long as you as agree with them. But that doesn’t bother me.”

Finally, Chuck also crossed the line with his language on live television Thursday night while discussing Demarcus Cousins.

A busy week indeed.

Auburn Football Recruiting

It’s also been a busy week in recruiting. Among the highlights, one of the Tigers’ top defensive backs targets in the 2016 recruiting class, John Broussard from Phenix City, visited the Plains Thursday and discussed his top schools.

“(Auburn is) recruiting me very hard,” Broussard said. “They’re at the top of the list. Everybody knows it’s a great school. Now, they brought in some great defensive coaches. I like Auburn and the atmosphere when I go there. I get a lot of love from everyone. I have a great relationship with the coaches.”

Another top cornerback target, five-star Virginia native Levonta Taylor, plans to visit Auburn this spring or summer.

“I had a real good relationship with (Auburn linebackers coach) Lance Thompson when he was at Alabama,” Taylor said. “And I also had a real good relationship with Coach T-Rob (Travaris Robinson) when he was at Florida.

“I spoke to those two guys and Coach (Will) Muschamp and they went ahead and offered me.”

Another Virginian, four-star defensive tackle Kyree Campbell, was offered by the Tigers on Monday. Speedy receiver Tre Nixon received a scholarship offer and plans to visit Auburn and Texas defensive end Justin Madubuike also received a scholarship offer this week.

Furthermore, Landon Rice, who is currently committed to the Tigers, has been on the receiving end of several scholarship offers in recent days. Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Michigan have all been in contact with the 6-foot-5, 240-pound tight end from Calhoun, Georgia, but the Tigers appear to be on solid footing.

“Landon is still rock solid to Auburn,” said Rice’s father, Joey Rice.

Toomer’s Oaks Arrive in Auburn

The new Toomer’s Oaks will be planted this weekend, but the massive trees arrived yesterday.

Next: 2015 Auburn Football Recruiting Class Player Profiles

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