Auburn Tigers guard Chad Baker-Mazara found himself at the center of a firestorm following his ejection during No. 1 Auburn’s narrow loss to No. 7 Alabama on Saturday. The senior guard’s costly flagrant foul, a blatant elbow to Alabama’s Chris Youngblood, led to his removal from the game and left Auburn shorthanded in a pivotal SEC showdown.
While Baker-Mazara’s actions on the court were heavily criticized, his off-court response only added fuel to the fire. Hours after the loss, Baker-Mazara took to social media and posted a now-deleted story featuring the words “rent free” accompanied by laughing emojis, seemingly mocking those criticizing his actions. The post drew immediate backlash from fans and analysts, with many calling it a display of immaturity at the worst possible time.
ESPN analysts Seth Greenberg and Jay Williams didn’t hold back in their assessments. Greenberg even suggested that Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl should consider suspending Baker-Mazara for the upcoming SEC Tournament as a disciplinary measure. “If I were Bruce Pearl, I’d sit him down,” Greenberg said. “He needs to understand the weight of his decisions and the impact they have on the team.”
Baker-Mazara’s ejection occurred during a closely contested game, and his absence in the final minutes likely affected Auburn’s chances of pulling off a win against their bitter rival. The loss has sparked frustration among fans, many of whom believe the veteran guard’s reckless play and subsequent social media antics reflect poorly on the program.
Pearl has yet to publicly comment on Baker-Mazara’s social media post, but it’s clear the situation requires immediate attention. The Tigers head coach will need to address the incident and remind his players of the importance of composure and accountability, both on and off the court.
For Baker-Mazara, this is a moment of reckoning. As a senior and leader on the team, his actions carry significant weight, and the expectations for him are higher than ever. Deleting the controversial post was a step in the right direction, but the damage had already been done. Auburn fans and teammates alike will be watching closely to see if Baker-Mazara can learn from his mistakes and regain their trust as the team heads into the high-stakes SEC Tournament and beyond.
The spotlight is now on Baker-Mazara to rise above the controversy and prove his commitment to the team’s success.
