31 Days to Tip-Off - Danjel Purifoy

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Today, we talk about a player who looks to make a big impact on this year’s Auburn team.

Today, we are one month away from the start of Auburn Tiger Basketball!!! This year’s version of Auburn will feature the guy who’s at #31 on the countdown. Today, we look back at one of Danjel Purifoy’s best games as an Auburn Tiger.

Total Points: 27

Date: December 12, 2016

Opponent: Boston College

Final Score: Boston College 72 Auburn 71

This game was special for a few reasons. One, it was played inside the world’s most famous arena: Madison Square Garden. It was also a game against Bruce Pearl’s alumni and a team who he used to be the mascot for.

The 2016-2017 Auburn Basketball team showed signs of things to come for Auburn. Sophomores Bryce Brown, Horace Spencer, along with freshmen Jared Harper, Anfernee McLemore, Mustapha Heron, Austin Wiley (mid-season addition) and Danjel Purifoy were all a part of that team. Purifoy had 2 great games in mid-December his freshmen year (we’ll talk about the other one down the road).

Purifoy was 8-14 for the game, including 4-7 from 3-point range and a perfect 7-7 from the charity stripe. Thinking back on this game makes me excited to see what Danjel can do this season. Bruce has said repeatedly that Purifoy has been the hardest working player all summer. He’s gone through so much during his time at Auburn and yet, he’s stuck it out and has a golden opportunity to be a star this year. Personally, I would love nothing more than to see him have a monster senior season.

As for this game, Purifoy had 18 1st half points, a breakaway steal and dunk, and a trio of 3-pointers. While the Tigers trailed throughout the 1st half, Purifoy kept Auburn in the ballgame. The Eagles led Auburn 43-39 at halftime.

In the 2nd half, Boston College built an early 8-point lead but the Tigers kept chipping away. Danjel had a monstrous put-back dunk, a long jumper and a 3-pointer, his 4th of the night to give Auburn a 67-65 lead with 2:52 left. Then, with 10 seconds left, and Auburn down 1, Purifoy was fouled and made 2 free throws to give Auburn a 71-70 lead. Unfortunately, on the last possession, the Eagles missed a layup but tipped in the miss with 0.2 seconds left and Auburn lost a heart breaker in the Big Apple. Auburn was -17 on the boards in this contest.

It’s back to 2014 tomorrow on the countdown as we look at #30 on the countdown. As for today in football, let’s beat Florida! War Eagle!

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