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After benching, Tahaad Pettiford must shape up for this Auburn team to achieve goals

The sophomore guard was not in the starting lineup for the first time this season against Georgia.

Jan 3, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Auburn Tigers guard Tahaad Pettiford (0) shoots over Georgia Bulldogs center Somto Cyril (2) during the second half at Stegeman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Tahaad Pettiford walked into the perfect situation for a young superstar-in-the-making last season at Auburn. Instead of having to be the man from the very beginning, he joined a team of grizzly veterans who were hungry, desperate to make up for an early exit in the previous NCAA Tournament and players that weren’t going to accept excuses, no matter how you were rated coming out of high school.