Johni Broome’s Message to Auburn’s Chad Baker-Mazara After Ejection vs. Alabama
In Auburn’s 93-91 overtime loss to Alabama, the Tigers suffered their second consecutive defeat to end the 2024-25 regular season. They played the final 11 minutes of regulation and overtime without starting guard Chad Baker-Mazara, who was ejected after throwing an elbow to Alabama’s Chris Youngblood. After reviewing the footage, officials made it clear that Baker-Mazara would be leaving the game.
Following the game, Auburn’s leader Johni Broome was asked about his message to his teammate.
“My message to Chad is to learn from his mistakes,” Broome said after a brief pause. “He needs to try to improve for both the team and himself. We all love Chad, but we still had a chance to win without him. Obviously, he’s disappointed because he wants to be out there with us. But the main message is to learn from his mistakes.”
Have loved watching Auburn all year. Been a defender of Chad Baker-Mazara.
But this (in the lower, lefthand corner of the screen) is just WILDLY inappropriate and unnecessary.pic.twitter.com/4WPHYtBKYg
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) March 8, 2025
Baker-Mazara had previously been ejected in Auburn’s first-round exit against Yale in the NCAA Tournament last year, adding to the significance of his actions.
Bruce Pearl’s Take on Baker-Mazara’s Ejection
When asked about Baker-Mazara’s behavior, Auburn’s head coach Bruce Pearl initially took the opportunity to criticize the officiating before addressing his player’s actions.
“What I’d like is for the first foul to be called,” Pearl said, having just discussed the lack of calls on Johni Broome. “I haven’t seen the play, so I can’t comment on what happened there. Obviously, it’s a flagrant two, and this is the second time he’s had one. We’re not as good a team without him.”
Pearl continued, acknowledging that Baker-Mazara’s physical play often draws contact, but also stressed the importance of not retaliating.
“He takes a lot of hits, and if it was retaliation, he can’t do that,” Pearl said. “I’ll know more once I see the play.”
Regardless of whether it was retaliation or not, Pearl emphasized that such actions can hurt the team.
“Contact is part of the game,” he explained. “Last year, against Yale, it was a retaliation play. My guess, without seeing the play, is that this was some form of retaliation. You have to move on to the next play. Chad can’t do that.”
Looking Ahead to the SEC Tournament
As Auburn prepares for their first SEC Tournament game on Friday, the incident serves as a reminder for Baker-Mazara. A similar mistake at this stage of the season could jeopardize what has otherwise been a standout year for the Tigers.
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