Bruce Pearl reveals challenges Auburn now faces due to early SEC Tournament exit

Bruce Pearl was hoping Auburn would run through the SEC Tournament, gaining another accolade to his time with the Tigers. However, it wasn’t in the cards for Auburn — the Texas A&M Aggies sent them home to await the NCAA Tournament.

Instead of battling for a trophy, Auburn is turning their attention to the NCAA Tournament now. Following their early exit from the SEC Tournament, Pearl revealed the challenges the Tigers now face.

“We’ve got to find a way to get the guys’ confidence back a little bit with the shots. There’s a reason,” stated Pearl. “Look, if you look at our percentages, our numbers in the league, defensively and rebounding and blocked shots and steals and pretty good in field goal percentage, assist-turnover ratio. We have great numbers.

“Our three point field goal percentage is very low. Doesn’t take a rocket scientist. The kids even said it. They said they kind of let us — they kind of backed off, packed it in, made it really difficult for us to get to the rim or to get it inside because of — and the only way you change that is by making a couple of shots.

“And so we’re going to see. We’ll see more of that.”

Evidently, Bruce Pearl has an idea of what Auburn needs to improve moving forward. The Tigers will need to play more consistent basketball if they’re to reach their full potential in the NCAA Tournament.

Bruce Pearl: Auburn was outplayed by tougher Texas A&M team

Bruce Pearl and Auburn were on top of the college basketball world a few short months ago. However, things have been rocky for the Tigers recently, and Friday was no different. Auburn was eliminated from the SEC Tournament by virtue of a 67-62 loss to Texas A&M.

Afterwards, Pearl stated Auburn was outplayed by a tougher Texas A&M squad.

“Well, we decided — kind of we put both Walker and Jabari a little bit more on the perimeter and rolled down our guards a little bit and try to play out a four-out, one-in and try to play out of space a little bit,” stated Pearl. “I think the kids are confident in what we’re doing. They just felt like we’re going to start making a few of these shots. And obviously Wendell did and Jabari did. Texas A&M is a really good team.

“Let me ask you a question, guys. You saw two good teams out there today, right? Two really good teams. I think our frontline with Walker and Jabari, pretty good, right? Ran pretty good. Those teams are pretty close in some ways. My team won 15 games out of 18 regular season. Our guys did — our guys did really, really well. They did. Had a hell of a year, because we’re not that much better than the eight seed Texas A&M. We’re better. We are.

“But we played better all year long. I’m really, really proud of them. It was two pretty good teams out there. Texas A&M outplayed us, they were tougher than we were, and they made shots.”

Nevertheless, Texas A&M advanced to the semifinals — where the Aggies face Arkansas on Saturday. As for the Tigers, Auburn is looking for a better performance come NCAA Tournament time.