Key Players - Auburn
Keyshawn Hall – 6’7 Senior – 19.4 ppg – 6.9 rebounds per game – 89 assists
Hall is a ‘do-everything’ performer. He leads War Eagle in scoring and rebounding and the all-SEC third-team member has made 61 three-pointers so far this season. He can score inside and out and is a matchup problem for Illinois State. Hall may the most important player in this game.
If Illinois State can’t slow down his offense and keep him off the glass, it will be difficult to prevail.
Tahaad Pettiford – 6’1 Sophomore – 15.3 ppg – 132 assists
Pettiford is an outstanding point guard. He’s accumulated over 100 assists in each of his two seasons at Auburn. After landing on the 2025 all-SEC Freshman team, he upped his offensive performance by almost five points per game. He, Kevin Overton and Elyjah Freeman are true pick-pockets on the defensive end.
Kevin Overton – 6’5 Junior – 13.7 ppg – 85 Triples
This former Drake Bulldog has been growing into an increased role all season. While leading the team in three-pointers, he has recently taken on more of the ball-handling role. This is Overton’s third program in three years. After landing on the Missouri Valley Conference’s all-Freshman team (2024), he transferred to Texas Tech and this year played at Auburn. He is a solid veteran presence during Pearl’s first head coaching season.
Key Players - Illinois State
Chase Walker – 6’9 Junior – 13.7 ppg – 5.4 rebounds per game – 66 asists
The strong and physical Walker is an adept post passer. The all-Valley post player can score on the block and has an adequate, mid-range game. He will have a mammoth task in this game, facing Auburn’s 6’10 KeShawn Murphy, while needing to know where Hall is at the same time. This will be Walker’s greatest test of the season.
Johnny Kinziger – 5’11 Junior – 11.7 ppg – 116 assists – 61 Triples
Kinziger is the emotional leader of this team. His game-winning three in the Redbirds’ NIT win over Wake Forest is his signature play for this season. Kinziger has elevated his game and production during postseason play, averaging 15.3 points-per-NIT game and converting nearly 48 percent of his three-point shots.
Ty’Reek Coleman – 6’2 Freshman – 9.8 ppg – 60 assists
Coleman is a part-time starter and has grown into a starting role. He has the quickness to challenge Pettiford and is a solid three-point shooter.
Boden Skunberg – 6’5 Graduate – 9.6 ppg – 4.5 rebounds per game - .399 from deep
Skunberg has a crafty offensive game and may be Ryan Pedon’s best defender. He will likely draw the first assignment to slow down Auburn’s Hall. He is a dependable long range shooter.