Kaden Magwood hadn’t appeared in a game since Jan. 6, when Auburn dropped a heartbreaker to Texas A&M after a game-winning shot by KeShawn Murphy was waived off due to not getting it off before the clock expired.
So when the freshman guard checked in for Auburn in the Tigers’ opening win in the NIT on Tuesday night, it came as a surprise. What was even more of a surprise was Magwood putting up 14 points in 17 minutes, shooting 50 percent from the floor as Steven Pearl’s squad pulled out a 78-67 victory over South Alabama.
Obviously, the question for the first-year Auburn coach was simple: why was this the first time we had seen of the Charlotte native since the second game of SEC play?
Kaden Magwood could be key off the bench for Auburn
Pearl didn’t exactly give a reason.
"I told him, 'Keep making me look bad,'" Pearl said on Friday. "'Because the more you make me look bad, the better it is for our team.' He's responded well, and I know he's excited."
There have been reported reasons why Magwood has been persona non grata for Auburn’s rotation since January, starting with discipline issues, which has been a problem with a number of players this season. Pearl has also pointed at Magwood’s lack of defense as a primary reason for keeping him on the bench. Either way, following his performance against the Jaguars. Magwood’s coach was the first to give him credit.
"I'm proud of him staying right and staying ready and doing the things that we've asked him to do," Pearl said after Tuesday's win. "And he's gonna be a good player. It's just gonna take a little time, but he was really good tonight."
With Auburn facing Seattle U on Sunday, don’t be surprised to see more of Magwood on the court. The Tigers might need another big game from him to advance.