Charles Barkley advises Chad Baker-Mazara using Nick Saban quote following ejection

Chad Baker-Mazara will be one of the more watched players this postseason after receiving a Flagrant 2 foul against Alabama. Auburn had to play most of the second half without Baker-Mazara, eventually resulting in a loss to their in-state rivals. Since then, advice has poured in all over the place for the fifth-year player.

Auburn legend Charles Barkley was the latest, using the wise words of Nick Saban. The former Alabama head coach is someone Barkley has openly admired throughout his career despite the two schools not liking each other.

Barkley hopes Baker-Mazara is able to a lesson he learned from Saban and apply it to himself in the SEC and NCAA Touranments. He explains how there is a difference between playing with an emotion and being emotional.

“Chad has got to be really careful with his emotions,” Barkley said. “Nick Saban, the greatest coach in college football history says ‘I want you to play with emotion. But don’t be emotional.’ I asked him about that one time and if you go back, he says especially in big games when you’re really excited, all the TV networks are there, the fans are going crazy. Because one emotional decision gets you tossed from the game or gets you a penalty. Playing with emotion and being emotional are two different things.”

As much negative publicity Baker-Mazara has received the past few days, there is still plenty he does well for Auburn. He only trails Johni Broome on the team in scoring, going for just under 13 points a night. Not many shoot the ball better than CBM either as he shoots 38.7% from three.

Beating Auburn is difficult due to their talent and depth. Bruce Pearl has built one of college basketball’s roster and after a regular season championship, is looking to capitalize even further.

In Barkley’s opinion, one thing stands out more than most when discussing how other teams will beat Auburn. And it’s something Baker-Mazara did against Alabama.

“If Auburn — they’ve got a terrific team,” Barkley said. “… The No. 1 thing for Auburn, they can’t help the other team because they’re good enough to win.”

Auburn is back on the court Friday afternoon from Nashville. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET but an opponent is not yet known, having the possibility of Arkansas, Ole Miss, or South Carolina. Auburn is a combined 4-0 against the trio already this season.

Barkley is hoping the Tigers can play clean basketball throughout, potentially leading to a second SEC Championship of the season. Maybe Saban’s words will get through as big tests are upcoming for Baker-Mazara.