Chad Baker-Mazara is one of the biggest villains in college basketball in large part because Auburn keeps winning. You can’t talk the talk if you don’t walk the walk and he certainly talks the talk.
However, the 6-foot-7 senior believes his latest technical foul stems from the Southeastern Conference’s vendetta against him.
Baker-Mazara is averaging 12.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game for the Tigers this college basketball season. He also leads the team in technicals. The former San Diego State transfer often runs his mouth toward his opponents, opposing fans and officials. It is playful in nature but also very serious.
Oklahoma fans got a taste of Baker-Mazara in Norman at the beginning of February. Alabama fans went after him in a rivalry loss in Tuscaloosa over the weekend.
And then there was Wednesday night. Baker-Mazara popped his jersey at Arkansas’ bench after he knocked down a triple from the corner. Officials immediately hit him with a technical foul.
Chad Baker-Mazara just drained a 3 in-front of the Arkansas bench, flashed his Auburn jersey, and got T’d up. pic.twitter.com/MV0o7PJzQM
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) February 20, 2025
John Calipari was all riled up. Chad Baker-Mazara didn’t care. He criticized the Razorbacks for failing to “handle the heat” when they are just as quick to “talk the heat.” The home crowd loved it, of course.
"If you can't handle the heat, don't talk the heat then."
— Vince Wolfram (@vincewolfram15) February 20, 2025
Chad Baker-Mazara talking to the official after hitting a triple in front of the Arkansas bench, followed by Coach Cal just moments after.
This game is INTENSE! pic.twitter.com/O8j6YLgivR
As soon as the game ended, Baker-Mazara took to social media to criticize the technical call.
At this point they just wanna give me one just bc😂😂😂
— @ChadBaker2700 / X
Auburn basketball does not have many flaws but Baker-Mazara’s shenanigans might be one of them. He was ejected for a blatantly dirty elbow in an upset loss to Yale last March. It would be a real shame if similar behavior proved costly again next month, which is not an unrealistic possibility.
Officials seem to have Chad Baker-Mazara in their sights so he has to be extra careful. One false move could be the difference between a win and a loss if a technical foul comes at the wrong time during a crucial moment of a close game!