Alabama Basketball: What’s different about playing Auburn
By Ronald Evans
On Saturday, Auburn and Tennessee’s offensive failures harkened back to the no-shot-clock era. Alabama basketball fans laughed at a game that produced a total of only 89 points. The first time Alabama Basketball faces Auburn this season will be on Saturday in Neville Arena.
It is a difficult building for opposing teams. Auburn is at least five points better in its own building. It is not just that the venue will be packed with frenzied fans, many of whom were born into hating the Alabama Crimson Tide. The crowd is a factor and Auburn teams feed off it.
More than a home crowd, what fuels Auburn is Bruce Pearl. Especially in Auburn home games, when he clearly revels in a pugnacious demeanor and goads his team to match his intensity.
Going back to Pearl’s tenure at Tennessee I have had many unfavorable thoughts about him. In recent years I have written many words of criticism about Auburn’s coach. I am convinced not a single word was unwarranted.
What is impossible, to not recognize, is the man can coach. His teams match his fire, with a belligerent disposition and aggressive behavior. A simpler way to explain is Pearl’s teams play defense angrily.
What Auburn does to opposing teams in Neville Arena is not dissimilar to what Nolan Richardson’s Arkansas teams did in Fayetteville long ago. For the Hogs, their smothering defense was aptly named ’40 minutes of hell.’ Auburn is not quite that, but there is no doubt Bruce Pearl loves how close his teams come to it.
Alabama Basketball is better than Auburn
The Alabama basketball team is better than Auburn. The Crimson Tide plays hard and its mentally tough players may not bat an eye in Auburn. But in advance, the Tide youngsters (and transfers) better know they are in for an opponent that relies as much on bullying as finesse. In college basketball, better teams sometimes lose.
Some Alabama basketball fans may rightly state focusing on Auburn, in advance of another game is unwise. It is true that Florida on Wednesday night could be a trap game for the Crimson Tide. But at this point in the season, with every team targeting the Tide – every game is a trap game.
Next. College basketball and a wild Saturday. dark
And as it always is between the two old foes, the contest in Auburn will be more than a game. Nate Oats gets it and he will not take a step back. His players best not either.