RxBenefits The BattleGround 2k25 Event Recap

While on site in Birmingham, AL, and witnessing a clash between two of last years, Final Four, teams, I came away with even more questions regarding each team's overall performance, and projection, going forward into the season, ahead of the Player's Era Tournament, in which both Auburn, and Houston, will be participating in. Without a doubt the Houston Cougars defense proved, once more, how effective they are, not only at minimizing their opponents scoring opportunities, but also asserted how deadly their defensive stops are at turning into offensive opportunities for themselves, as well. Meanwhile, the Auburn Tigers although not as explosive of an offense, as initially advertised, were still able to maintain themselves within the game, while only being behind by margin of 8 points at most, although the tide of game was constantly dominated by the Cougars, throughout both halves.

Upon concluding the game, and reviewing my notes and collecting my thoughts I was curious on several of the following conclusions, based on my observations. Particularly,

"Is there any way to stop Kingston Flemings, with the ball in his hands ?"

"Who will be the player to step up for Auburn for the rest of season, as an efficient scorer, or in the clutch ?"

"Is there any way to scheme, and exploit any weaknesses, around this year's Houston defense ?"

"How will Auburn address their lack of defensive presence, going into a more competitive stretch before conference play ?",

While the remainder of the season, may give us some clarification towards these questions, in the meanwhile, there was still significant performances from players, on both teams, that are worth noting, and will be interesting to continue to watch, throughout the season. Please read below, as we are proud to present our player standouts, from this years edition of the Rx Benefits BattleGround 2K25, and a special thanks to the group at United Sports & Entertainment, and Legacy Arena, for making this event possible !

Keshawn Hall || Auburn || PF || 6'7" || Senior || Transfer: UCF / George Mason / UNLV

Hall's dynamic, and versatile, game was on full display against the cougars. His mix of strength, fluid movement, and commitment to competing, through every possession, stood out, throughout the game. Logging in 29 minutes, on the floor, of pure, high motor, physical basketball, whether down low in post fighting for rebounds, or sprinting and weaving downhill in transition, his athleticism, and commitment towards winning in the post, not only made him the highest scoring payer for Auburn, in this contest, with 20 points, but was also the main force keeping Auburn in the game. The biggest takeaway from this game, based on Hall's projections at the next level, is his tenacity at the rim, weather fighting for boards in the crowded post, or even rebounding his own misses around the rim, as there were several instances in which he put back his own rebounds. Hall also showed his ability to drop into the post and either rotate onto, or help guard, the center, and battle out any opposing scoring opportunities at the rim. Aside from the interior defense, Hall showed low activity in guarding around the perimeter or with slowing down the opposing Houston guards, or rotating onto them. Although the maximum of of Hall's offensive contribution, outside of iso or fast break situations to attack the rim, or cutting, or second chance points, remains to be observed, even with his lack of shooting, it is worth noting that Hall attempted three 3FGA's in this game, proving that he is willing to show confidence in being able to craft enough of an outside shot, or the perception thereof, to use towards his advantage spacing to floor, for him to operate more freely towards the rim, with his athleticism, and strength.

Kingston Flemings || Houston || PG || 6'3" || Freshman || Brennan HS (San Antonio, TX)

The poise, expressed in this game by Flemings, was one of the most professionally executed games, by a freshman, so far this year. In all thirteen of his FGA, Flemings completely carved, out, and made sight work of the Tigers, not only expositing his matchup of being guarded by Pettiford for most possession's, but by also exposing the rest of the Auburn defense through quick thinking and bursty athleticism, further showcasing how visually dominating his 62% FG% perfeoamcne was in this game. Flemings athletic ability from quick burst movements, to fluid vertical movement, and great body control through distorting through contact, make his main strengths of second level vision, relaxed pace of play, and consistent shooting, even more deadly than what they are. He held his own in the point of attack defender role on Pettiford, and as a chaser as well denying the Auburn guards the ball in every assignment, as well as rotating out to defend the corners on two occasions. Although still early in his collegiate campaign, it could be very likely he hears his name called out, as a lottery pick in June, for the Draft.

Chris Cenac || Houston || PF || 6'10" || Freshman || Link Academy (Branson, MO)

The former McDonald's All American, towered over the Auburn Tigers, not only physically, but in his ability to hit tough, big time, shots in ways that appeared almost Kevin Durant-esque. Being able to get to his spots, with ease, is nothing of a challenge for Cenac, as he was able to convert four mid-range jumpshots, three of which were highly contested, and two over the shoulder, made all the hype even more alluring, seeing he was having his way against an top SEC program. With two out of three of his 3 pointers made this year on C&S and a block in the post, to complement his stellar performance Cenac only see's his value go up for every NBA organization. With the offensive skillset of a modern power forward, and the length and defensive instincts, to add to his alluring performance, against SEC competition, the rest of the college world is on notice for the impending stretch 4.

Emanuel Sharp || Houston || CG || 6'4" || Senior || Bishop McLaughlin Catholic (Spring Hill, FL)

The tenured guard still made an impact towards the Cougars performance, albeit having a subpar shooting, performance, and percentage on the floor, with only going 5 of 10 from the floor, and 2 of 7 from beyond the arc. Even with taking ill timed shots, with either more than half of the shot clock still active, or under high contention, Sharp countered by showing effort, and constant motor on both sides of the floor. With two deflections, one of which led to a steal, three rebounds, and even two assists, there was no lack of production from Sharp in this match, but rather an observation of what else he could provide of value to his team when his shot is not his main strength. Although there was not one specific play that made Sharp standout, the mix of his strength, shiftiness with the ball, and a "green light from the three" approach, continue to help cement his specialist role in an hard nosed team.

Tahaad Pettiford || Auburn || PG || 6'0" || Sophomore || Hudson Catholic (Jersey City, NJ)

The mighty Pettiford took the challenge of going toe to toe with one of the best defenses in the nation, and a national title contender, with significant upside, and confidence in his ability to impact games at the collegiate level. For one, Pettiford continued to step up beyond his physical capabilities, especially on the defensive side, with staying upon the assignment of slowing down Flemings, preventing Sharp from becoming an threat from range, and even in limiting Milos Uzan, through 2 steals, and two blocks, one of which was an impressive chase down block at the rim, in which Pettiford kept up stride by stride with Uzan from the top of the key, and sent the outside hand layup attempt, flying into the sidelines. In his other block, Pettiford was able to fluster Sharp, and forced the guard to launch an ugly heave of a missed attempt in the clutch moments of the last 20 second of the game. Such an performance, created an even more favorable view of him, than even before. Considering that Pettiford was the Tigers second leading scorer in the game, and was an less than effective as an interior scorer, the reads he was able to make on certain drives, using his quick first step to split defenders, and continue to drive downhill through hard contact, against one of the most physically imposing teams, in all of college, there is a considerable dosage based on his performance of this game, to assert his sustainability at doing so at the next level, against proffesionally physical defenders. Even with the last possesion of the game falling on the shoulder of Pettiford in the final seconds on a highliy contested drive, there is still no reason to discount him as a player, and his impact on this Tigers teams postseason hopes.