Bruce Pearl happy with production inside the paint vs. Ole Miss

Bruce Pearl and his Auburn Tigers basketball team managed to beat Ole Miss on the road. A lot of why they were able to do that was because of the team’s production in the paint.

After the game, Pearl said that he was happy with his team’s play inside during the game.

“Well, the combination of guys getting downhill, Johni [Broome] finishing around the rim,” Bruce Pearl said.

“So very, very important. And again, I know again the veterans, we played with some poise and some purpose.”

With the win, Auburn moved to 13-3 on the season and 3-1 in SEC play. The Tigers’ next game is against a tough Mississippi State team on Saturday. Ole Miss, meanwhile, fell to 8-8 and a poor 0-4 in SEC play. The Rebels will desperately need a win against Georgia on Saturday.

Bruce Pearl praised the team’s leadership

Bruce Pearl also recently praised how Auburn’s team leadership has improved this season.

“I think there’s been more leadership, for sure, and more accountability. Here’s the deal. I have a job to do [but] this is not my team. It’s their team. If we don’t win, I’ll say it’s my team. I’ll try to take the heat off. But I’ve been coaching so long and I’ve had so many teams. These guys have got two, three, four years. That’s it,” Pearl said.

“When they take ownership of it? And are able to be accountable, be able to call each other out and things? Those are strengths [as] the communication has been better.”