Auburn basketball covered the spread and knocked off a tournament team from this past March on Tuesday night, taking down Morehead State 77-54 during the 2021-22 season’s opening tip-off.
For the #22-ranked Tigers, the victory was expected, but sweet nonetheless considering the various statements made by several newcomers of both the transfer and freshman variety.
While not everyone had their best game, the performance elevated the stocks of several AU ballers.
Let’s take a look at those who saw their stock rise, fall, or stay neutral after defeating the Eagles:
Stock up: Auburn basketball PG Wendell Green Jr.
As the leading scorer for Auburn, Wendell Green Jr. had the most complete performance of any Tiger on the floor on Tuesday night.
Collecting 19 points on 8/17 shooting while knocking down three of his eight 3-point attempts, Green was the primary option and delivered in that role.
Any time you could elicit Jared Harper’s name from your play at the point guard spot, you’re doing something right.
Stock up: Auburn basketball PF Jabari Smith
Jabari Smith wasn’t the featured option on Tuesday night, but the projected NBA lottery pick flashed a diverse skill set that should pose problems for defenders everywhere.
His eight points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals and a block made for a nice stat-line in 20 minutes, but knocking down two of his three long-range attempts was the most exciting aspect of his NCAA debut.
Stock up: Auburn basketball C Walker Kessler
After a fairly quiet exhibition performance against the Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles, Walker Kessler decided to make an explosive defensive debut against Morehead State by swatting five shots and swiping two steals.
His 3-point shot will be a work in progress, but Kessler was aggressive and proved that he is all but certain to have a much better sophomore season on the Plains than his freshman season in Chapel Hill.
Stock up: Auburn basketball SG/SF K.D. Johnson
K.D. Johnson is going to be a very popular hustle player that the Auburn family is going to embrace for diving on loose balls and tormenting ball-handlers with dogged on-ball defense. Those same characteristics are going to be the same reasons opposing SEC fanbases will want to see him in foul trouble all season.
Johnson didn’t shoot the lights out of the ball (5/14 overall, 2/7 from 3-point line) but did provide the second highest point total for the Tigers and proved that he will do anything to get Auburn a bucket when needed.
Stock up: Auburn basketball SG/SF Devan Cambridge
Devan Cambridge is one of the elder statesmen of this Tigers team, and he was a solid steady hand on Tuesday night, knocking down four of his seven shots from the field including the first thunderous dunk in transition of the season.
Like Johnson, Cambridge could bail out the offense by getting to the free throw line and taking matters into his own hands, making him an invaluable piece on the wing for Bruce Pearl and co.
Stock neutral: Auburn basketball PF/C Jaylin Williams
Jaylin Williams wasn’t spectacular–particularly when considering his three turnovers in 17 minutes of floor time–but he did exactly what was needed off the pine.
Like Cambridge, Williams is a junior, but he was once a starter and it doesn’t look like he’ll be earning his way back into the first five based on what we’ve seen so far in 2021-22.
Stock neutral: Auburn basketball C Dylan Cardwell
While Dylan Cardwell is basically the equivalent of eight Pepsis, a cup of coffee, and an energy drink when it comes to hyping up the crowd, his play was uneven on Tuesday night, making my prediction of #44 starting games this season seem like a pipe dream.
Cardwell had a signature swat and forced two Morehead State turnovers, but he only collected two boards in 12 minutes on the hardwood, leading to the Eagles collecting second chances at his expense.
Stock neutral: Auburn basketball SF/PF Chris Moore
Chris Moore played the exact kind of brand of basketball we have come to expect from the sophomore from West Memphis, Arkansas, knocking down both of his attempts at the rim and providing a backdoor cutting option for the offense.
It wasn’t spectacular, but his 15 minutes on the floor were exactly what were needed from a guy who is aiming to carve out a consistent role before Allen Flanigan returns.
Stock down: Auburn basketball PG/SG Zep Jasper
Zep Jasper’s poor play stuck out like a sore thumb on Tuesday night. Scoring just one point on a free throw, Jasper’s poor shooting night was coupled with two turnovers without a single assist.
Jasper played the least amount of time for any Tigers starter and is likely in the most danger to lose his starting spot.