The transfer portal in college sports has certainly caused its fair share of problems, but a new one has arisen. With conference tournaments taking place for the last week, mainly in the smaller conferences, some seasons are ending while others are still in the running for the NCAA Tournament.
The transfer portal isn't set to open until after the tournament is over, but apparently, some teams are already trying to find guys for next year's roster. One Auburn assistant coach in particular is looking at those smaller conferences and reportedly was sitting court-side at a Queens University of Charlotte game, a team in the ASUN conference.
While this may not seem like a big deal, the reason he was reportedly there was that he was already targeting a player for the transfer portal. Apparently, Auburn needs to do something as low as already putting out feelers for players not even out of season yet to get ahead, not just in the SEC but ahead of Alabama.
This move isn't actually breaking any rules, but Jeff Goodman, a basketball analyst and co-founder of The Field of 68 podcast, knows that this crossed a moral line.
This is just bullshit to me. Is it within the actual rules? Maybe.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 11, 2026
But there’s a line of morality that coaches just shouldn’t cross within the industry.
I won’t be surprised if I see a fight break out between coaches during a summer AAU event. https://t.co/iSUGYDXM8m
Auburn stopping to such low levels will have Alabama fans rolling on the floor laughing
Alabama was able to handle business against Auburn in both meetings this season, and while the Crimson Tide is sitting pretty knowing they are a lock for the NCAA Tournament, the Tigers are shaking in their boots.
Clearly, head coach Steven Pearl is so worried about next season that he is reportedly sending coaches out to already start recruiting for the transfer portal. These are guys that have not even finished their season, or may not even have an intention of entering the portal.
Auburn is really stopping low, and it gives Alabama fans so much to laugh at as the Tigers are so desperate to catch up that they have now created a scandal for themselves.