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Paul Finebaum hails Bruce Pearl as significant figure in SEC basketball history
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Paul Finebaum is loving what he has seen out of SEC basketball throughout March Madness, and that includes the job Bruce Pearl has done at Auburn.
Over the weekend, Auburn rolled into the Final Four for the 2nd time under Pearl. And considering what the head coach had already accomplished with the Tigers, Finebaum believes Pearl’s legacy is already solidified.
“Getting there again is really the cherry on top of the cake,” said Finebaum during his appearance for “McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning.” “He is one of the most important figures in the history of Auburn. He’s done it from scratch, too. He was incredibly damaged goods when the decision was made 11 years ago to bring him in.”
Finebaum did go on to mention that a championship would certainly “enhance” Pearl’s all-time legacy, but it’s not something entirely necessary to change the perception of Pearl’s coaching and program building. In fact, Finebaum believes Pearl has a unique status and spot carved out in the history of SEC basketball, with or without any future success.
“A championship, of course, would enhance that, but I don’t think it’s even necessary. This isn’t exactly apples to apples when we’re talking Alabama football or Auburn basketball,” Finebaum described. “Auburn basketball was so far down, and his story is so remarkable. The personality is infectious. A lot of coaches have been to one Final Four, and many of them are not that memorable. Getting to two is significant, winning a championship is even better, but to me, he doesn’t need to do anything else. He’s already cemented his place in Auburn history and, quite frankly, in SEC basketball history.”
While Auburn is the No. 1 overall seed in March Madness, the Tigers hold the worst odds to win it all in the latest Final Four odds produced by BetMGM. Duke at +100 is the favorite in San Antonio, while Auburn checks in 4th at +525. The most likely matchup in the championship game is Florida vs. Duke with +150 odds.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
