'This team has sacrificed a lot': Auburn finds success through breakfast meetings, Bible studies

SAN ANTONIO, Tex. — Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl implemented a mandatory breakfast meeting last season among the players. The tradition carried over into this season.

And if you ask senior Dylan Cardwell, that, along with regular Bible studies, are the primary catalysts behind the most successful season in the history of the program.

“It’s easy for guys to get caught up in themselves and get lost in daily schedules and not hang around people. I live off campus, so I’m not seeing these guys. I have school, I have a girlfriend, I have other things to do than prioritize my teammates,” Cardwell said.

“But, what that challenged me to do was we’re going to spend these times getting to meet each other and getting to know each other as human beings and as brothers. That started last year.

“Bruce Pearl brought in the right guys this year and I think if it wasn’t for last year’s team being the foundation, this couldn’t have been a one-year thing. It happened over the course of years of having the right pieces.”

This Auburn team’s willingness to aside self for the greater good is something Denver Jones noticed early on.

“We know how good each and every one of us are. It’s more of a respect factor. We all knew we’d sacrifice to be here. Everybody on our team wants to win. That’s the main reason we’re all here, that’s the only reason I’m here. That’s the reason Tahaad is here. Chad, Johni, we wanted to win. We all had the same mindset,” Jones said.

Auburn won the SEC Tournament last season and won 27 games. Chaney Johnson was an important part of that team, but knows this team has been different for a long time.

“I was on a great team last year and this team sacrificed a lot more than the team last year. This team has made a move to sacrifice anything to win the game. One guy sacrifices for you, the other guys sacrifices for you. We have great chemistry and we’re willing to play hard for each other. It’s a great feeling to be on a team like that,” Johnson said.

Cardwell says this team’s faith is a critical reason players from all different backgrounds could come together and create a season as successful as what the Tigers have put together to this point.

“The role faith plays on this team is the biggest role possible. We wouldn’t be here without,” Cardwell said.

Team chaplain Jeremy Napier, along with Pearl, and Auburn assistants often attending as well, participate in Bible studies daily and weekly.

“I’ve never seen a coach like him to encourage these things. We wouldn’t be able to connect with each other in a deeper level outside of basketball. I’m grateful to be on this stage, to play for and serve a coach like Bruce Pearl, and I am grateful to God who led me to Auburn. That is why I have stayed here for five years, because I love God, I love Auburn, not most importantly, but importantly I do love Bruce Pearl,” Cardwell said.

“Our faith has been the definition and success of our season. I’ve been on more talented teams, but the thing that sets this team apart is just our faith. Our faith has led us to sacrifice. This team is the first team where it can be anybody’s night. This team has sacrificed a lot, and our egos and our pride has brought us into a team over ourselves, and that’s why we are so successful.”

Even Tahaad Pettiford, who entered as a McDonald’s All-American, adjusted quickly to the team-first mentality, bringing his own selflessness into the program.

“I knew what I was coming into. That’s why I came here. The sacrifices everybody made was to buy in. That’s the reason we had the success we had,” Pettiford said. “Knowing the situation I was in, I accepted them for who they are and I played behind them. I was told to play my game and be who I am. I had no problem with that.”

Cardwell hopes all the sacrifice ends in a national title on Monday. For the team, for the university, and for the coach that inspired him along the way.

“That’s the reason we’ve had this level of urgency lately is because we understand that our sacrifice is the potential to play for a national championship and win a national championship, not just for own glory, not just for the glory of ourselves, but for our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ,” the fifth-year veteran stated.

“But also win a national championship for this university and Bruce Pearl. I’ve been here for five years, he has showed me the ropes to be a great Auburn man. Every time I’m praying, I’m always praying for a national championship, to win it for Bruce Pearl. He earned it, deserves it.”