Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl offered his respect for the progress of their rival team, the Alabama State Hornets.
In a pre-game press conference prior to their matchup, Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl talked about how he feels about their rival Alabama, particularly their head coach Tony Madlock.
“I’m also very, very happy for Tony and the job that he and his staff have done taking that Alabama State program,” Pearl said. “They’re only 45 minutes down the road. And so, we’re very familiar with them. We played them last year and they actually outplayed us in the second half.
“So, we know that we’ve got our hands full with a really athletic, quick, deep, well-coached basketball team.”
Bruce Pearl analyzed the state of Alabama’s basketball excellence this season and addressed the threat Alabama State poses. #WarEagle pic.twitter.com/D5pYmPkiEv
— Auburn Tigers | AL.com (@aldotcomTigers) March 19, 2025
Heading into March Madness 2025, the Auburn Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide men’s basketball teams have had strong seasons, but Auburn holds the edge as the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament. Auburn boasts an impressive 28-5 record, finishing first in the SEC standings.
They are known for their balanced offense and defense, with standout performances from their star players. Auburn’s consistency throughout the season earned them the top spot in the NCAA’s NET rankings.
On the other hand, Alabama also had a solid season, finishing with a 25-8 record and securing a No. 2 seed in the tournament. While Alabama’s offense has been explosive, their defense has shown vulnerabilities, which could be a factor in their tournament run.
The rivalry between these two programs adds an extra layer of excitement, as both teams aim to make deep runs in March Madness. Auburn’s consistency and defensive strength give them a slight edge, but Alabama’s high-powered offense makes them a formidable contender.
Bruce Pearl, Auburn Wins Over Alabama: “We Didn’t Play Our Best”
The Auburn Tigers faced the Alabama State Hornets in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, and while Auburn started slow, they ultimately secured an 83-63 victory. The game was close in the first half, with Auburn leading by just one point (32-31) with under two minutes remaining.
However, the Tigers went on a 9-0 run to close the half and maintained their momentum in the second half, outscoring Alabama State 42-32.
Miles Kelly emerged as the top scorer with 23 points, while Johni Broome delivered an impressive double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Despite the win, Auburn’s slow start raised concerns, especially as they prepare to face 9-seed Creighton in the next round. Auburn’s acknowledged the need for improvement.
“They were a formidable opponent,” Bruce pearl said of Alabama. “We didn’t play our best, but I think they had a lot to do with it. So I just give them a great deal of credit.”
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