March Madness may be over, but the excitement is far from done. Just days before its closing, the transfer portal is heating up.
From RJ Luis Jr. to PJ Haggerty, nearly 2,000 players have thrown their names into the mix this year. But one name caught everyone off guard–Auburn’s Chad Baker-Mazara. Yep, in what would be his sixth year of college hoops, Baker-Mazara is on the move again, leaving coach Bruce Pearl behind. And the exit? It’s been anything but smooth.

This past season, Chad Baker-Mazara was a key player for Auburn. He finished as the Tigers’ second-leading scorer, averaging 12.3 points per game and hitting 38% of his threes. Baker-Mazara played in 38 games, starting 34 of them. The 25-year-old helped Auburn finish the season with a 32-6 record and helped them reach their second Final Four under Bruce Pearl.

Thanks to the NCAA’s temporary waiver, players who spent time at a junior college or NAIA school got an extra year of eligibility. This meant Chad Baker-Mazara was eligible to play another year, and he had signed a contract worth around a million dollars to stay with Auburn for the upcoming season, according to Jeff Goodman. But as it stands, CBM is on his way out. And Goodman believes there are still more twists to this story.

On the Field of 68: After Dark podcast, Jeff Goodman revealed why CBM entered the portal despite signing a new deal. The reason? Auburn signed Keyshawn Hall, who is reportedly earning twice what Baker-Mazara is making. Goodman also shared that to get out of his current deal, the former Auburn wing would need to pay back a significant amount. He says, “If he(CBM) gets out of that deal legally, he would have to pay back a significant percentage of that 1.1 million. I’m told it’s around 60% of the deal.”

Paying 60% of the amount, which is roughly $650,000, is a huge blow for anyone. But CBM won’t be short of suitors. Teams like Arkansas, Kentucky, Providence, and Ole Miss have shown interest. You’d assume he’d want to earn at least double what he signed for with Auburn to cover the losses.

But what if he decides not to pay the amount? Well, according to Goodman, Auburn would be well within their rights to sue Chad for the money they’re owed if he leaves at the conclusion of the portal. It would be a tragic end to one of the best player-program relationships. But time stops for no one, and Auburn has to keep an eye on next season as well. “I also think that I’m on board(if Auburn sue him),” he said.  Such is the nature of signing a legal contract–if you want to move out, you have to pay the buyout price.

Bruce Pearl has been working overtime to prepare a roster capable of reaching the same heights after losing players like Johni Broome and Baker-Mazara. Let’s take a look at some of those roster acquisitions.

Bruce Pearl brings in new faces as Auburn undergoes a roster overhaul

For the first time in program history, Auburn emerged from Selection Sunday as the number 1 overall seed. The squad Bruce Pearl assembled delivered, reaching a Final Four–a testament to his coaching. But now, it’s time to take the next step and win the championship. The team will no longer feature the likes of  Johni Broome and Chad Baker-Mazara, but Bruce Pearl has ensured Auburn remains strong heading into the new season. The Tigers pulled a fast one on other teams, recruiting ten new players through the portal.

Elyjah Freeman, a DII player, has been brought in to replace the outgoing CBM. Keyshawn Hall, KeShawn Murphy, Kevin Overton and Emeka Opurum are some of the other names added through the portal. Auburn’s upcoming recruiting class may not be one of the best in the country, but it’s still full of talent, with Sebastian Williams-Adams leading the way.

It remains to be seen how Auburn will fare next season, especially with all the off-court drama surrounding Chad taking the spotlight away from their recent signings. But once the season starts, you can be sure these new players will do the talking on the court. Stay tuned for more updates!