Bruce Pearl dunks on Alabama following loss to Tennessee, clinching SEC title

Auburn left Rupp Arena with at least a share of the SEC regular season championship. Two games up with two remaining, only one scenario saw the Tigers clinch outright on Saturday. Alabama needed to lose to Tennessee in Knoxville in a matchup of top-six teams.

Tennessee got the job done at the buzzer, sending Knoxville into a frenzy. The party may be just as big on the Plains as Auburn are now the lone team who can claim an SEC Championship this season. Bruce Pearl is one happy guy, getting an assist from his former program.

Pearl took to social media to celebrate the occasion, possibly taking a shot at Auburn’s in-state rivals along the way.

VFL and War Damn Eagle!

— Bruce Pearl (@coachbrucepearl) March 1, 2025

There is a ton of history between Pearl and Tennessee, being a former head coach of the program. He brought them to great heights too, winning a ton of games in Knoxville. Pearl has not shied away from his previous relationship with Tennessee and is clearly still proud of their accomplishments.

If anyone knows about special wins on Rocky Top, it’s Pearl. You have to wonder where this game would rank on his all-time favorite Tennessee wins, possibly being quite high despite not being directly involved.

Because as if Alabama’s hearts were not broken enough due to the loss, seeing Auburn now earn the outright SEC regular season championship is an extra punch to the gut. A loss with multiple levels to it, Auburn and Pearl have to be on cloud nine.

A little celebration plus a shot at Alabama — a near-perfect tweet from Pearl.

More on Auburn winning outright SEC regular season title

Since Bruce Pearl took over on the Plains, the Tigers have three regular season titles. The 2018 season was a shared one with Tennessee but in 2022, it was on outright championship by a game over Kentucky and once again, Tennessee.

This championship is now wrapped up with a week remaining and although two tough opponents are remaining on the schedule, no damage can be done. Auburn has locked up the one-seed in the SEC Tournament and the same thing likely could be said about the NCAA Tournament.

Entering Saturday, ESPN’s Joe Lunardi admitted Auburn could forfeit their final games and still be a one-seed. They certainly do not plan on taking their foot off the brakes anytime soon, hoping to continue winning ways to close the regular season.