Auburn’s future hinges greatly on Tahaad Pettiford’s return.

All eyes are on Tahaad Pettiford as the cutoff date to withdraw from NBA draft consideration is two days away.

As it stands, Pettiford is a top-30 prospect in draft boards from NBADraft.net and CBS Sports. However, most mocks see Pettiford going in the second round of the draft. What would Pettiford’s return mean for the Auburn Tigers? On3 predicts that the Tigers will produce similar success to its Final Four run last season, just as long as Pettiford withdraws from the NBA draft.

In its latest “way-too-early” top 25 ranking, On3 examined how each team would be affected by the upcoming NBA draft, which included Auburn and Tahaad Pettiford. Pettiford currently ranks No. 56 in On3’s NBA draft board, which gives the outlet confidence that he will be an Auburn Tiger next season. Because of this, Auburn slides into the No. 6 spot in On3’s rankings, with Pettiford being Auburn’s key returner.

Auburn needed to overhaul its entire roster this offseason due to the departures of Johni Broome, Denver Jones, Chaney Johnson, and Dylan Cardwell. Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl added several experienced transfer big men including Keyshawn Hall from UCF and KeShawn Murphy from Mississippi State, and a couple from the JUCO ranks in Abdul Bashir and Emeka Opurum.

Despite the additions of experienced pieces, Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl hopes that Auburn fans will give his program grace as they find an identity in 2025-26.

“We will absolutely be the hardest team, going into next year, to predict what kind of year we’re going to have,” Pearl said during a recent media availability. “And it will have to be a team that’s going to get better throughout the season — because it’s going to be so brand-spanking new.”

Should Pettiford return, the uncertainty of Auburn’s season will become much clearer, as the freshman who posted 11.6 points and 3.0 assists per game will become the nucleus of the team as a sophomore for the 2025-26 season. He has until Wednesday, May 28, to decide his future.

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