2/2 🧵 4/6 🧵 The timing was brutal. Auburn lost to Tennessee 72-62 in the SEC Tournament, sealing their NCAA fate. Bruce Pearl (Steven's dad, former Auburn coach) lobbied for the Tigers, but the committee said no. That's when Murphy checked out — without a word.
5/6 🧵 Players occasionally skip NIT games (pride, draft prep, portal decisions), but the no-show without notice is rare. Murphy played 27 minutes in that Tennessee loss, then disappeared. He's the only Auburn player to opt out. Pearl said Monday no one had told him they weren't playing. Tuesday night, Murphy was just... gone.
6/6 🧵 Auburn won 78-67 over South Alabama without him and faces Seattle next (March 21-22). Pearl wrapped it: "Want him still to finish up academically, but I got nothing but love for Murph... Just gonna pour into the guys that are here and want to hoop."
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