AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn is special. In a truly unique event, a basketball court was placed on Toomer’s Corner Thursday evening to hold Tip-Off at Toomer’s.
“Who puts a court down in the middle of downtown, brings in Cole Swindell, gets 10,000 people to show up on a beautiful fall night,” Auburn men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl said. “Auburn, Alabama does it.”
Auburn does not hold the event every year, but it is a must-see each time the event takes place. To start the event both the men’s and women’s basketball teams were introduced using each player’s chosen walk-up song. Each player showed their unique personality and some showed their dancing ability as they walked out onto the makeshift court.
Following the entrance of both teams, different basketball competitions took place with both teams before the event closed with the main event - a dunk contest. Before the event, Pearl called true freshman Jakhi Howard the favorite to win the competition and Howard did not disappoint.
Howard exhibited his athleticism with a variety of dunks. In one dunk he jumped over his head coach and in another he jumped over three of his teammates. Auburn fans can only hope they see some of that athleticism in Neville Arena this season. Despite the performance, Howard’s teammate, senior Chaney Johnson, won the competition. Johnson also has unique athleticism that was on display Thursday night.
Overall the event serves to bring forth excitement about the upcoming basketball season and does so in a way that is truly unique to Auburn. With the event in the books now, though, both Pearl and Auburn women’s head coach Johnnie Harris know the season awaits.
“I thought it was amazing,” said Harris. “The team’s been working really hard. It’s really good to get out, see the fans. It’s time. Basketball season is here and our kids are excited, we’re excited. It was really good to see everybody here."
“I have some concerns about how we’re playing right now," Pearl said. “We absolutely need to play against somebody else.”
Soon both the Auburn men’s and women’s basketball teams will get that chance. The Auburn women begin the season on November 4 inside Neville Arena against Southern Illinois. The Auburn men begin the season on November 6 against Vermont.
