Auburn Tigers News: Bruce Pearl defends Chad Baker-Mazara, Sam Jackson V on the switch to WR

In today's edition of Auburn Tigers News, Auburn basketball head coach Bruce Pearl speaks on Chad Baker-Mazara's flagrant 2 and Sam Jackson V talks about switching from QB to WR

Things began to go downhill for the Auburn basketball team about three minutes into their first game in the NCAA Tournament. Chad Baker-Mazara committed a retaliatory foul, an elbow to the chest after previously being hit in the throat with no foul, and was hit with a flagrant 2, meaning he was ejected from the game.

The Tigers played hard, but without one of their best playmakers and defenders, things weren't easy. Auburn basketball made a swift exit from this year's tournament, and many fans put the blame squarely on Baker-Mazara's shoulders. According to Bruce Pearl, enough is enough.

"Chad should have never done it. He should have walked away," said Pearl, per Auburn Live. "There were several times during the course of the season where he made the same mistake. What a difficult way to learn from that mistake. At the same time, I’d also like to remind our fans, and anybody listening, that Chad owned up to that mistake and he’s apologized for that mistake. He’s taken responsibility and although the consequences, he feels really bad and he’s struggling with that right now.

“I’m going to tell the Auburn family, while I know you are disappointed, if somebody was messing with your son, you’d stand up for your son wouldn’t you? Stop messing with my son. Stop it. He apologized, he made a mistake, I’m calling you out. I’m not having it. For those on social media who want to continue, unfollow those people. Stop it.”

Sam Jackson V talks about switching from QB to WR

Last season, Sam Jackson V went up against the Auburn football team as quarterback for the Cal Golden Bears. This season, he will be playing for the Tigers, but as a wide receiver rather than a QB. Jackson V will once again become teammates with Payton Thorne, who he played alongside in high school.

According to Jackson V, the switch in positions has gone more smoothly than expected and he has already been proving himself as a playmaker during spring practice. The new WR credits this to his athletic ability and his past experience playing with Thorne.

“It hasn't been as difficult as I thought it would be because, obviously, I'm pretty gifted athletically,” said Jackson, per Auburn Rivals. “I think the main thing about it is learning the small things, the intangibles: hand fighting at the line with the corners, tracking the ball over my head, making sure the deep ball is coming over my shoulder, adjusting to the ball in the air. Just the little stuff like that.

“The playbook is really easy for me because I played quarterback. I know what Payton is thinking since I played with Payton before. It's been pretty easy for me.”

The Tigers will continue working their way through spring practice until the spring scrimmage, A-Day, slated for April 6.