Ad Disclosure
Bruce Pearl says losing to Alabama ‘doesn’t sit great’ at Auburn
By Keith Farner
Published:
Bruce Pearl is aware of the trends in the Iron Bowl of basketball, and knows that Auburn needs to reverse them on Wednesday night in Tuscaloosa after last year’s sweep.
Pearl is aware that Alabama makes more than 11 3-pointers per game, and is shooting 45% at home. Pearl also recalled that Auburn led for 60-some minutes in the 2 games last year, and just couldn’t finish.
“They’re really, really tough to beat at home, their margins of victory at home are pretty astounding,” Pearl said.
“We recognize that we got beat twice by them last year and that’s something that, at Auburn when that’s your rival, just obviously doesn’t sit great,” Pearl said. “Should be a great environment tomorrow.”
Pearl recalled how earlier matchups against Baylor and Texas A&M caused him to declare they were the best opponent so far, and now Alabama replaces those teams on the pedestal.
Pearl recalled last year’s 17-point lead, and how Alabama erased it. But while Auburn players believe that this Tigers team is better equipped to play well in Tuscaloosa than last year, Pearl wouldn’t go that far, and said both teams would have challenges.
Pearl later admitted that Auburn is not road tested after only 2 road games against Vanderbilt and Arkansas, but the Tigers will be in the next 2 weeks.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
