Bruce Pearl's Auburn Tigers are off to a strong start, challenging their players to dominate in the tough SEC conference. After a win against Missouri, Pearl reflects on the competitiveness of the league and his own journey with Auburn.
Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl directs his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Durham, N.C., Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown) Bruce Pearl hasn’t had much to stew over this season, but he picked a perfect moment to challenge his team after Auburn ’s loss to Duke. His words that night have stuck with me ever since, and even after Auburn began conference play with such an impressive win against Missouri.
Auburn (13-1, 1-0) defeated Mizzou 84-68 over the weekend. The Plainsmen are at Texas on Tuesday night (8 p.m.) and then travel to South Carolina for a Saturday battle against the Gamecocks (noon). Every single team in the SEC that played at home over weekend scored a victory against their opponents, but this league will be won on the road. “Every one of these suckers is going to be precious,” Pearl said during his post-game interview. “Hopefully they’re not precious and few... “We’re good enough to win every game on the road, we’re good enough to lose every game at home. Did you hear what I said? That’s how good the league is.” The game against Missouri is noteworthy because Pearl is now tied with Joel Eaves for the most wins by a coach in the history of Auburn basketball (213).Pearl is one of my all-time favorite coaches for his fiery spirit, passionate convictions and love of his players. In this age of the transfer portal, it says a lot about Pearl’s character and ability that so many players returned for this season. They play for each other and that’s special. Pearl started at Auburn in 2014 after serving a three-year suspension imposed by the NCAA. He was grateful for the new opportunity and has been motivated to be the best in the country ever since. It’s one thing to win at North Carolina or Kansas. Pearl has created a slice of college basketball heaven in Auburn, Alabama, and I could make the argument that it’s because of Pearl that the SEC has risen to the top of the college basketball worl
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