Bruce Pearl: Aden Holloway, Labaron Philon situations have been win-win ahead of Auburn vs. Alabama

Saturday’s Iron Bowl of Basketball is going to have some unusual crossover between the two. Labaron Philon is enjoying a nice freshman season at Alabama but at one point was an Auburn commit. Kansas earned a verbal pledge in between the two in-state rivals but Nate Oats snagged Philon away at the last moment.

And then there is Aden Holloway, a former Auburn player now suiting up for Alabama. Some cannot see a world where one can play for both but Holloway was one of the more high-profile transfers this offseason. He has fit in well in Tuscaloosa too, currently being one of the Crimson Tide’s top players.

In a different world, Bruce Pearl is coaching both Holloway and Philon. Instead, Oats enjoys the benefit of having them on his roster. Pearl believes it has worked out for both programs, calling it a “win-win” during a Thursday press conference.

Alabama got two guards who are heavily involved in their rotation. Holloway and Philon both play over 20 minutes on a nightly basis and are in double figures from a scoring perspective. Philon does average 3.5 assists too and is better only glass, keeping the 3.5 number. But Holloway shoots 5.5 three-pointers per game and connects on a 42% clip.

Auburn was able to retain a good chunk of their core from last season, one that finished tied for second in the SEC and won the SEC Tournament. Tahaad Pettiford has entered as a true freshman and found success coming off the bench. Pearl also hit the NCAA transfer portal and has hit on a few key pieces, most notably sharpshooter Myles Kelly.

Both teams are now competing for more than just an SEC Championship but feel as if a Final Four and national championship is within striking distance.

If there is any difference between Holloway and Philon, one actually being an Auburn player certainly stands out. Pearl was hoping to get the most out of the former high school four-star product however, things did not work out. Even with the Alabama transfer, appears to have a great relationship with Holloway.

Things might change once a few shots go through the hoop, though.

“Aden was a very popular player on our team,” Pearl said via Justin Hokanson of On3’s Auburn Live. “He has great friends…I think things have really worked out for him. I’m happy for him. I’m not going to be happy for him when he’s drilling it from 35 (feet).”

Plenty of storylines will follow these two teams until the 3 p.m. CT tipoff from Coleman Coliseum. Both sets of fans will specifically be watching Holloway and Philon to see how they play. Once a part or set to be a part of the Auburn program, they now play for enemy No. 1.