Bruce Pearl denies loss vs. Kentucky ‘demoralized’ team

In front of College GameDay and another sold out crowd at Neville Arena, Auburn fell at home for the first time this season. However, Bruce Pearl made clear that he is not “demoralized” after the loss.

Auburn was 13-0 at home heading into Saturday evening’s matchup against Kentucky, having won each of those contests by at least 11 points, including a recent 101-61 beatdown of South Carolina just days prior. Ultimately, an ice cold offensive performance bit the Tigers in the heel as they mustered just 59 points in an 11-point loss to the Wildcats.

After the game, head coach Bruce Pearl was asked if he and the team were “demoralized” by such a defeat, especially at home. That elicited a fiery response from the Auburn leader.

“This was not a demoralizing game. That’s a good team that played a really good game. What’s demoralizing about a loss to Kentucky when they play well?” Pearl questioned. “I can’t even begin to answer that. Do I look demoralized to you? Anybody think I’m demoralized?”

He then went on to explain that Auburn is in the middle of a brutal stretch of schedule. They had Alabama last week, then hit the road against Florida, only to come home and play ranked South Carolina and Kentucky squads. Plus, the road doesn’t get easier, either, since the Tigers get two in a row at Georgia and at Tennessee.

“Oh by the way, you know what’s funny? I looked at the schedule the other day. We’re playing South Carolina. They’re 20-3. They’ve won seven in a row. I said to my son Steven, I said, ‘You know what? This might be the easiest game of the next four.’ Looking at Kentucky here, even going on the road to Georgia, then going on the road to Tennessee. For these kids to have grinded and be in the position? Guys, come on. Demoralized?”

Well, Bruce Pearl certainly doesn’t have his head down after this defeat and appears as confident in his guys as ever. He wanted to remind everyone of his belief in them even at a low point.

“The point is, and this is what I want you guys to understand: Our guys have been achieving at a high level,” says Pearl.

Everything is still on the table for the Tigers in league play, but the loss Saturday did throw a wrench into the SEC standings as Alabama and Tennessee have separated at No. 1 and No. 2 with South Carolina and Auburn now tied at third with 9-4 records, then Kentucky and Florida at 8-4.

A lot of teams still in the mix with just a few weeks of ball to go.