Bruce Pearl isn’t holding back when it comes to Alabama’s latest roster controversy - and he’s calling for the NCAA to take a hard look at the Crimson Tide’s postseason eligibility.
The former Auburn head coach made waves this week by suggesting Alabama should face a potential ban from the 2026 NCAA Tournament. The reason? The return of Charles Bediako, a player who many believed had closed the book on his college career.
Let’s rewind. Bediako declared for the 2023 NBA Draft and spent three seasons in the G League - a path that, under normal circumstances, would have ended his eligibility.
But Bediako didn’t just walk away. He filed a lawsuit against the NCAA, pushing to be reinstated.
A Tuscaloosa Circuit Court judge granted a temporary restraining order, clearing the way for Bediako to suit up while his case plays out in court.
And suit up he did. In his first two games back, Bediako dropped 27 points, giving Alabama an instant boost in the frontcourt. But his return hasn’t just impacted the scoreboard - it’s sparked a firestorm across the SEC.
Pearl, never one to shy away from controversy, didn’t mince words.
“I think they should consider it,” he said, referencing a potential tournament ban. “I think it’s something that should be talked about.”
At the heart of the issue is a growing debate around how the NCAA handles eligibility - especially when it comes to American players who go pro. Alabama’s stance is that there’s a double standard: European prospects often get more leniency when it comes to turning professional and returning to college play. But the NCAA had already ruled Bediako ineligible, and Alabama’s legal challenge is being viewed by some as a direct shot at the organization’s authority.
Pearl’s frustration was clear.
“When we don’t like the ruling, what do we do?” he asked. “We go to court and get an injunction.”
That sentiment isn’t isolated. Across the SEC, coaches and administrators are starting to speak up - not necessarily about Bediako himself, but about the broader implications.
If players can overturn NCAA decisions in court and hit the floor midseason, what does that mean for the competitive balance? What does it say about the NCAA’s role as a governing body?
As March creeps closer, the pressure is mounting. The NCAA’s silence on the issue is only adding fuel to the fire, and without a clear stance, the conversation around fairness and enforcement could dominate the postseason narrative.
For now, Bediako is playing. Alabama is winning. And the rest of the college basketball world is watching - closely.