Steven Pearl, Auburn’s head coach, found himself at a crossroads after a tough loss to Oklahoma. With the NCAA tournament hopes hanging by a thread, Pearl knew it was time to shake things up.
He decided to crank up the energy, hoping his team would follow suit. And, at least for one practice, they did.
With only three games left in the regular season, Auburn’s chances are slim, needing at least two wins to stay in the tournament conversation. The loss to Oklahoma was a wake-up call, and Pearl wanted his team to feel the urgency. During Thursday’s film session, they revisited their dominant defensive showing against Ole Miss, a performance Pearl hopes to replicate.
"I really pushed them in film, addressing key issues, and they responded brilliantly," Pearl shared. "The energy in practice was electric. I aimed to spark them, but ended up feeding off their enthusiasm."
As a first-year head coach, Pearl is learning on the fly, openly admitting he doesn’t have all the answers yet. But he’s committed to being decisive and clear in his approach.
Reflecting on Thursday’s session, Pearl emphasized, "Our preparation needs urgency. It’s about being in the right spots consistently. They did it against Oklahoma, now let’s see if we can maintain that focus."
Coming off an emotional win over Kentucky, Auburn faced a quick turnaround. Oklahoma’s offensive onslaught, scoring 91 points with a barrage of threes, was a harsh reminder of the work still needed. Auburn’s brief 15-second lead underscored the inconsistency that has plagued them.
Junior guard Kevin Overton, with significant tournament experience, echoed his coach’s sentiments. "The desire has to come from us, not just the coaches," Overton stated. He’s been a vocal leader, stressing the importance of giving it all on the court.
"The key is action, not just talk," Overton added. "Consistency and togetherness have been our challenges. We’re not there yet."
Despite a rocky stretch, including a five-game losing streak, Auburn remains in the hunt for a tournament spot. Overton sees hope amid the struggles.
"To still have a chance after everything is huge," he said. "That’s all we can ask for right now."
Current projections have Auburn in the tournament mix, largely due to their grueling schedule and numerous Quad 1 games. Pearl reminded his team of their fortunate position, saying, "There are 323 teams that wish they were us right now.
We’re among 42 teams vying for 37 at-large bids. Let’s seize this opportunity."
Invoking his father’s wisdom, Pearl concluded, "We’ve put ourselves in position to be in position. Now, it’s time to win some games."
Saturday’s matchup against Ole Miss, who’s on a ten-game skid, is critical. A loss could dash their tournament dreams, making it essential for Auburn to capitalize on this opportunity.