In a season filled with ups and downs, Auburn's Steven Pearl is seeing a spark in his team as they gear up for a crucial showdown against Kentucky at Neville Arena. Despite a challenging five-game losing streak that has put the Tigers on the NCAA Tournament bubble, there's a palpable energy in practice that suggests they're ready to rise to the occasion.
Pearl shared his thoughts, saying, “The energy comes from knowing we’re close. We need to push through and finish strong.
The team recognizes our potential, and that’s driving us forward. It’s all about closing out these last five games with determination.”
Auburn knows they can't afford another slow start, especially after a tough first half against Mississippi State, where Bulldogs’ guard Josh Hubbard exploded for 35 points, hitting 9-of-12 from beyond the arc. While Kentucky might not have a single player like Hubbard, they boast talents like Otega Oweh who can shift the momentum in their favor.
The Tigers are focused on learning how to finish games decisively. A win against Kentucky, another team on the tournament bubble, could be the catalyst Auburn needs to gain momentum for the rest of their schedule. With some winnable games ahead, Pearl's squad could find themselves in a much more comfortable position by Selection Sunday.
“We’ve secured five quality wins this year, and each additional victory is crucial,” Pearl emphasized. “Every win boosts our chances for the NCAA Tournament and improves our SEC Tournament seeding.
Conversely, every loss could set us back. The team is well aware of our current standing, and we’re still in a position to achieve the goals we set at the start of the year.
It’s all about finishing strong.”
The path forward is clear for Auburn: seize this opportunity against Kentucky, build momentum, and keep their tournament dreams alive.