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Things Arizona Must Watch Closely Against Auburn

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Things Arizona Must Watch Closely Against Auburn


The 2025–26 Auburn team comes built with several players who pose serious threats. Here are a handful of the standouts Arizona needs to game-plan around.

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Keyshawn Hall — Forward / Go-to Scorer

Auburn Tigers forward Keyshawn Hall (7) takes a jump shot as Auburn Tigers take on NC State Wolfpack at Neville Arena in Auburn, Ala. on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. Auburn Tigers defeated NC State Wolfpack 83-73. | Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Hall transferred to Auburn after a standout season elsewhere, and in 2025–26, he’s already seen as the Tigers’ primary offensive weapon. 

Hall’s 21.8 points per game is currently 10th in the nation according to ESPN, and his 9.1 rebounds per game ranks tied for 34th.

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The most dangerous scorer on the team and a senior leader who can do a lot with his game will have to be Arizona’s top priority in limiting. 

Hall’s combination of size ( 6’7”, 240 lbs), scoring instinct, and inside-outside game makes him a dual threat: he can punish you inside the paint or step out for perimeter looks.

Hall’s all-around ability in rebounding, rim presence and scoring means he could dominate the paint and stretch the defense. Containing him will require disciplined defense and physicality.

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Tahaad Pettiford — Playmaking Guard & Offensive Catalyst

Auburn Tigers guard Tahaad Pettiford (0) goes up for a layup as Auburn Tigers take on NC State Wolfpack at Neville Arena in Auburn, Ala. on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. Auburn Tigers defeated NC State Wolfpack 83-73. | Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Pettiford is Auburn’s returning guard who drew major notice last season and has improved to start this season as well. 

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According to Sports-reference.com, in 2024–25, he averaged 11.6 points per game. To start this season, he is already averaging 14.1 points per game and 2.8 assists. 

As a pick-and-roll creator or primary ball-handler, Pettiford gives Auburn pace and playmaking which is something that could test Arizona’s perimeter defense and transition discipline. 

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Nov 29, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd yells at guard Dwayne Aristode (2) during the second half against the Norfolk State Spartans at McKale Memorial Center. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images | Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

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Even when not the highest-volume scorer, his ability to create offense, whether scoring or facilitating, means Arizona’s guards and help defenders have to find a way to contain him and limit his mobility.

Pettiford can push tempo, drive, and disorganize already aggressive defenses. If he gets to the paint, it could open up scoring lanes for others on Auburn.

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KeShawn Murphy — Threat in Paint, Rebounder & Rim-Threat

Nov 19, 2025; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers forward Keshawn Murphy (3) dunks the ball against the Jackson State Tigers during the second half at Neville Arena. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images | John Reed-Imagn Images

Murphy, a transfer from Mississippi State, has been an impact player immediately for the Tigers.

According to ESPN, Last season he averaged 11.7 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, showing reliable scoring and board-control skills. This season, early on, the point production is similar at 10.6 points per game, but the rebounding is down to 6.4, possibly due to fewer minutes. 

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As a big man with mobility and ability to finish near the rim or operate in pick-and-rolls, expect Murphy to challenge Arizona’s interior defense and rebounding, especially if Auburn crashes the glass hard as they have for years. 

A physical, smart big man like Murphy can dominate second-chance points and clog the lane, forcing perimeter to beat him tough if Auburn builds momentum.

Why Auburn’s Mix Presents a Potential Problem for Arizona

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Balanced weapons: With Hall (scoring inside/out), Pettiford (guard-driven playmaking), and Murphy (rebounding & paint presence), Auburn boasts threats at all three levels — perimeter, mid-range, and inside. That makes defensive assignments difficult.

Nov 29, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd calls for a player off the bench during the first half against the Norfolk State Spartans at McKale Memorial Center. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images | Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
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New but dangerous roster: The 2025–26 Auburn roster is heavily revamped with many newcomers and transfers, but that doesn’t mean they are inexperienced. Several incoming players, like Hall, Murphy, and guard rotation pieces, have high-level production from prior stops. 

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Versatility, pace, and adaptability: Auburn’s coaching staff seems to prefer a flexible, versatile scheme with motion, pick-and-roll, and shooting. That style, if executed, could stress Arizona’s defense and force mismatches or breakdowns.

Nov 24, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Auburn Tigers guard Kevin Overton (1) and forward Sebastian Williams-Adams (33) celebrate during the second half against the Oregon Ducks of a 2025 Players Era Festival group play game at Michelob ULTRA Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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What Arizona Should Focus On to Contain Auburn

  • Physicality on the interior & limit second-chance points: Contain Murphy and Hall on the boards; challenge every rebound.
  • Switch-heavy and disciplined perimeter defense: Pettiford and Hall could expose mismatches while rotating quickly and denying penetration will be key.
  • Limit transition opportunities and guard the pace: Don’t let Auburn push early offense; force half-court sets where Arizona can better control matchups.

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Man, woman found dead near Arizona-Utah border; suspect arrested

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Man, woman found dead near Arizona-Utah border; suspect arrested


A suspect has been arrested after two people were found shot to death inside a home near the Arizona-Utah border.

What we know:

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On July 5 at 11:30 p.m., the Page Police and Fire Communications Center responded to a report that two people had been shot near Elm and El Camino.

Once at the home, officers found a man and a woman with gunshot wounds. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

“The suspect was unknown and not on scene when officers arrived,” police said.

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Dig deeper:

Police secured the home and obtained a search warrant. Investigators then began processing the crime scene.

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“Evidence collected provided investigators with a person of interest who may have been present when the shootings occurred,” police said. “Investigators located the person of interest and interviewed him but did not initially charge him with any crimes related to the double homicide investigation.”

The next day, the person of interest was arrested and booked into jail. He’s accused of two counts of first-degree murder.

What we don’t know:

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No identities were released. Police didn’t release any details on what led up to the shooting.

Local perspective:

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Police “do not believe there is any remaining threat to the community, as the alleged suspect and the weapon allegedly used have been seized by law enforcement.”

What you can do:

If anyone has information related to the investigation, they advise contacting Detective Terry TerEick at ttereick@pageaz.gov.

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Map of the cross streets where the shooting occurred:

The Source: Information for this article was gathered from the Page Police Department’s Facebook page.

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Padres host Arizona Diamondbacks, look to stop home slide

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Padres host Arizona Diamondbacks, look to stop home slide


Arizona Diamondbacks (45-45, second in the NL West) vs. San Diego Padres (44-46, third in the NL West)

San Diego; Tuesday, 9:40 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Diamondbacks: Zac Gallen (0-0); Padres: TBD

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LINE: Padres -131, Diamondbacks +108; over/under is 8 1/2 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The San Diego Padres are looking to end their three-game home slide with a victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

San Diego has a 44-46 record overall and a 23-22 record at home. The Padres have a 26-13 record in games when they record at least eight hits.

Arizona is 45-45 overall and 18-25 on the road. The Diamondbacks have gone 16-4 in games when they hit two or more home runs.

The teams match up Tuesday for the fourth time this season.

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TOP PERFORMERS: Manny Machado has 16 doubles and 18 home runs for the Padres. Fernando Tatis Jr. is 11 for 43 with three doubles, two home runs and five RBIs over the last 10 games.

Ketel Marte has 18 doubles, three triples and 17 home runs for the Diamondbacks. Geraldo Perdomo is 13 for 39 with three doubles and two home runs over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Padres: 1-9, .255 batting average, 8.02 ERA, outscored by 51 runs

Diamondbacks: 4-6, .222 batting average, 3.84 ERA, outscored by one run

INJURIES: Padres: Jason Adam: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Randy Vasquez: 15-Day IL (ankle), Freddy Fermin: 10-Day IL (head), Matt Waldron: 15-Day IL (arm), David Morgan: 15-Day IL (knee), Jeremiah Estrada: 15-Day IL (knee), Lucas Giolito: 15-Day IL (elbow), Nick Pivetta: 60-Day IL (elbow), Joe Musgrove: 60-Day IL (elbow), Ramon Laureano: 60-Day IL (hip), Bryan Hoeing: 60-Day IL (elbow)

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Diamondbacks: James McCann: 10-Day IL (quadricep), Blake Walston: 60-Day IL (elbow), Jordan Lawlar: 10-Day IL (hamstring), A.J. Puk: 60-Day IL (elbow), Ryne Nelson: 60-Day IL (elbow), Mike Soroka: 15-Day IL (lower body), Corbin Burnes: 60-Day IL (elbow), Cristian Mena: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Andrew Saalfrank: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Justin Martinez: 60-Day IL (elbow)

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.



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WATCH: Mesa teen builds free scam detection tool to protect seniors from fraud

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WATCH: Mesa teen builds free scam detection tool to protect seniors from fraud


MESA, AZ — For many seniors, scam texts and phone calls can be confusing, intimidating, and costly.

One Mesa teenager believes getting help shouldn’t be.

BASIS Mesa student Shilo Karakkattu created ScamSafe after watching older family members struggle to sort through suspicious messages.

The goal is straightforward: help people avoid becoming the next victim of fraud.

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For many seniors, scam texts and phone calls can be confusing, intimidating, and costly. Karakkattu saw that the problem was affecting people he loves and decided to create a solution.

Now, organizations that work with seniors are taking notice of his invention, which could soon help thousands of people across Arizona stay one step ahead of scammers.

Watch in the player above to see the remarkable student whose latest project is protecting some of Arizona’s most vulnerable residents.

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