Bruce Pearl isn’t holding back. The former Auburn head coach, now an analyst with TNT Sports, had some pointed words for Alabama’s Nate Oats over the decision to play Charles Bediako during the early stretch of SEC play - despite the NCAA ruling Bediako ineligible.
“Nate said he'd play him a hundred times again,” Pearl said during Tuesday’s broadcast. “What it tells me is Nate doesn't really care about the SEC, he doesn't care about the NCAA.”
Pearl’s frustration wasn’t just about the eligibility ruling - it was about what he sees as a disregard for the rest of the conference. “You're a member of this conference, and you're a member of the NCAA,” Pearl continued.
“What about the rest of the teams? What about the rest of the players?
Why should those five teams have had to play against an ineligible player? And I think it was selfish, and I think it was wrong.”
The controversy centers on Charles Bediako, the 7-foot center who joined Alabama midseason after spending three years in the G League without logging a single NBA appearance. When he arrived in Tuscaloosa, the NCAA ruled him ineligible - but that didn’t stop him from suiting up. A Tuscaloosa Circuit Court judge granted Bediako a temporary restraining order that allowed him to play immediately while the legal process played out.
That legal window has now closed. On Tuesday, a county judge denied Bediako’s motion for a preliminary injunction, effectively ending his college comeback. The court ruled that Bediako “failed to demonstrate that he is entitled to the injunctive relief he seeks,” stripping away the temporary eligibility that had allowed him to play in five SEC games.
In those five appearances, Bediako showed flashes of what made him a coveted big man. He averaged 10 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting an eye-popping 77.3% from the field (17-of-22).
He started two games and logged over 21 minutes per contest. His final outing came in a high-octane 96-92 win over Auburn - now coached by Pearl’s son, Steven - where Bediako went 5-for-5 from the floor and dropped 12 points.
As for what’s next, Bediako’s attorney Darren Heitner said they’re “working through all of our options” when asked about a potential appeal to the Alabama Supreme Court.
This situation has stirred up more than just legal debates - it’s sparked a wider conversation about eligibility, fairness, and the balance between advocating for individual athletes and respecting the structure of the game. Pearl’s comments reflect that tension. For him, it’s not just about one player or one team - it’s about the integrity of the competition.
And while the legal chapter may be closing for Bediako, the ripple effects across the SEC are just beginning to be felt.