Hearing Bruce Pearl cry and complain is certainly nothing new to Alabama fans. But when it comes after the final nail was driven in a disastrous Auburn season that was set up due to his decision to retire late and force the Tigers' hands in making a hire based on nothing short of nepotism, well, it doesn't get much better than that.
Alabama comfortably made the NCAA Tournament as a 4-seed in the Midwest Region. Auburn was the second team left out after a 17-16 overall record and will either accept a bid to the NIT or bow out and end their season. Considering Auburn quit on Steven Pearl weeks ago, there seems to be little advantage to playing in the NIT.
It feels silly for anyone to argue for Auburn - just one game over .500 - to make the NCAA Tournament, but Pearl wasn't going to let another opportunity to cry about it pass him by.
"You know, Auburn beat three champions this year, they beat Florida, they beat St. John's, and they beat Arkansas," Pearl said on CBS's Bracket Reveal Show. "They played the toughest schedule in the country. I'm not sure if they were rewarded for it. But it's hard to get another couple of SEC teams in when the SEC already has 10."
Bruce Pearl went to bat for Auburn in a hilarious manner
Auburn didn't deserve to make the NCAA Tournament. The only people who disagree are Auburn fans, former coaches, and current nepo babies in charge.
Auburn didn't just finish a single game over .500, it lost eight of its final 10 games in the regular season and didn't help itself nearly enough in the SEC Tournament. Auburn knocked off Mississippi State before an epic collapse cost them in the second round against Tennessee.
Now, no matter the whining and crying you'll continue to hear from the Pearls or the gnashing of teeth in Lee County, Auburn is exactly where they belong: watching the NCAA Tournament from the couch just like you and me.