The coach made it crystal clear that rebounding effort isn't optional against the reigning SEC champion Gators, warning that anyone who doesn't check out will be watching from the sidelines.
coach Steven Pearl gave his team an ultimatum before traveling to Gainesville, Florida, for a conference matchup with the Gators. Florida currently ranks second in the country averaging 46.6 rebounds per game.
Pearl told his players not to expect playing time Saturday if they can’t match the Gators physicality in the frontcourt. “There’s no secret sauce. You’ve got to be ready to hit, every single possession. It can’t just be the three guys that are crashing the offensive glass. It’s got to be all five guys staying in possessions and finishing possessions. And it’s going to require a different level of toughness and physicality and want and desire,” Pearl said Thursday afternoon. “Anyone that doesn’t check out in this game is not going to play. I don’t care who it is. If you miss checkouts in this game, just come sit next to me. That’s how we’re going to approach it, and that’s how it’s going to be,” Pearl added. “If winning is important, then our guys will go hit somebody every single possession. If it’s not, they’ll just come sit down, and they’ll enjoy watching the game over on the bench.” LAS VEGAS, NV - NOVEMBER 24 - Auburn Head Coach Steven Pearl during the game between the #22 Auburn Tigers and the Oregon Ducks at Michelob in Las Vegas, NV on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. Photo by Zach Bland/Auburn TigersFlorida demonstrated this dominance in its 79-61 victory over LSU on Tuesday, as the Gators outrebounded the Tigers 50-30. Starting center Rueben Chinyelu snagged a team-high 21 rebounds, as Florida improved to 14-5 overall and 5-1 in SEC play. Auburn averages 38.5 rebounds a game and despite improving to 3-3 in league games and 11-7 overall after its 78-66 victory at Ole Miss, Pearl knows Auburn will need to dominate the boards to knock off the reigning champion Florida Gators. “Rueben Chinyelu has been a total difference-maker for that team. He had 21 rebounds in the last game, 11 offensive. He’ll keep you up at night,” Pearl said. “They do so many good things. But, at the top of the list, it’s rebounding. And while we’ve out-rebounded almost every opponent in the SEC, Florida’s like +24 in wins. That’s a significant margin,” Pearl added. “It’s going to require something special in the effort, energy and toughness departments in order for us to compete.”Jerry Humphrey III is an Auburn Sports Beat Writer for AL.com since Oct. 2024, covering football, basketball and all things Auburn sports. Prior to joining the sports staff at AL.com, Jerry spent time at...
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