The transition from Bruce to Steven Pearl as Auburn Tigers head basketball coach was something many saw coming, just not as quickly as it happened. Many figured the 2025-26 season could be his send-off.
One former player had a hunch it could happen, though, and took action, hitting the transfer portal in the offseason.
Chad Baker-Mazara, who left AU for the USC Trojans this offseason, revealed that he felt Bruce fading away by the end of the 2024-25 season.
“Yes and no, I would say,” Baker-Mazara said when asked if he saw Bruce's retirement coming.