Bruce Pearl: Auburn Snubbed, SMU Shouldn't Be

0:00On March 15th, former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl, now working as a CBS sports analyst, voiced strong frustration over the Tigers missing the NCAA. Tournament. He argued they deserved a spot thanks to the toughest schedule in the country, and key wins over three recent champions, including Florida, St. John's and Arkansas. Auburn wrapped up the season with the 17 wins 16 loss record, but hit a rough patch, dropping nine of their final 12 games. The southeastern conference still landed 10 teams in the field, yet Oklahoma and Auburn became the first two teams left out. Pearl zeroed in on Southern Methodist University, as the squad that should have been excluded instead. He pointed out their week out of conference schedule, ranked 191, and just five road victories suggesting either Oklahoma or Auburn would have been better. Last four in choices. He also questioned Miami of Ohio's inclusion before the bracket dropped, saying they needed a conference tournament title to prove themselves as one of the top 6-18s.

1:03Now the undefeated regular season Red Hawks faced Southern Methodist University in the first four in Dayton, Ohio. As Auburn shifts focus to the 2026, 2027 season under Steven Pearl, the debate lingers on balancing resumes, records, and I test talent in these tough selection calls.