Bruce Pearl cuts down nets after Auburn captures SEC Tournament title

Bruce Pearl climbed the ladder with a pair of scissors in hand, grabbing a net that was hanging on to the hoop by a thread. He clipped the final piece off, triumphantly waving it in the air as Auburn fans roared in appreciation.

The Tigers defeated Florida on Sunday by a score of 86-67 to capture the SEC Tournament Championship for the second time in the past six seasons. Both of those victories came under Pearl, who has Auburn poised to make yet another run in March Madness.

By doing so, Pearl made good on a promise earlier in the the day to “take home some nets.” It was a warning to the Gators, who failed to keep up with Auburn’s energy from the get go.

The Tigers were in control from start to finish, never trailing on their way to the win. Johni Broome led them to victory, recording a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Auburn shot 51% from the floor while limiting the Gators to only 1-of-13 (8%) on their 3-point attempts.

Auburn was projected to be a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament entering Sunday’s title game according to On3’s James Fletcher III. We’ll see where the Tigers land when the field is announced at 6 p.m. ET Sunday on CBS.