Auburn assistant coach Steven Pearl didn’t miss an opportunity to highlight the Tigers’ second Final Four appearance, taking a subtle dig at Alabama for falling short against Duke in the Elite Eight of the East Regional.
“It’s crazy… For us to go to our second Final Four since 2019, the only school in Alabama to do it twice, it’s special,” Pearl said in the locker room following Auburn’s 70-64 victory over Michigan State, according to The Next Round Live.
Adding to the significance, Pearl emphasized how meaningful it was to share this moment with his father, Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl.
This isn’t the first time Steven Pearl has thrown shade at Alabama. Back in February, he suggested that Nate Oats’ hiring at Alabama was influenced by Bruce Pearl’s success at Auburn.
“I don’t think Alabama hires Nate Oats if Bruce Pearl isn’t at Auburn,” he said, per Saturday Down South. “That’s not a shot at anyone, but what Coach (Pearl) has done here has raised expectations across the SEC. If Auburn can do it, other schools believed they could too. Alabama got the right guy. Nate Oats is one of the best in the game, and the rivalry has only intensified because of it.”
Despite Alabama’s recent Elite Eight appearances and consistent tournament success, Auburn still holds bragging rights with more Final Four trips and remains in contention for the state’s first national championship in basketball.
And you can bet Steven Pearl won’t let anyone forget it.
