Auburn Preparing for Alabama Game as if Bediako Will Play

First-year Tigers coach Steven Pearl says Auburn is getting ready for the Iron Bowl matchup regardless of Bediako's eligibility status.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 4:47pm

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First-year Auburn coach Steven Pearl is anticipating that Alabama's 7-foot center Charles Bediako will play in Saturday's game against the Tigers, despite Bediako's ongoing eligibility battle with the NCAA. Pearl says Auburn is preparing as if Bediako will be on the court, noting that coaches have to get their teams ready for the opposing team's full roster regardless of any player availability questions.

Why it matters

The Bediako eligibility case has been a major storyline in college basketball this season, with the NCAA facing legal challenges to its ability to enforce its own rules. How the situation plays out could have broader implications for the NCAA's authority, and Pearl's comments reflect the pragmatic approach coaches are taking amid the uncertainty.

The details

Bediako, Alabama's 7-foot center, is set to have a hearing on Friday to seek injunctive relief against the NCAA enforcing its eligibility rules. It's unclear whether Bediako will be cleared to play, but Pearl says Auburn is preparing as if he will be on the court for Saturday's game. Pearl understands Nate Oats and Alabama are simply trying to put their best team on the floor, even as the eligibility issue plays out in the courts.

  • The Bediako eligibility hearing is scheduled for Friday, February 3, 2026.
  • The Auburn-Alabama game is set for Saturday, February 4, 2026 at 4 pm ET.

The players

Steven Pearl

First-year head coach of the Auburn men's basketball team.

Charles Bediako

7-foot center for the Alabama men's basketball team who is involved in an ongoing eligibility battle with the NCAA.

Nate Oats

Head coach of the Alabama men's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“You have to prepare as if he's going to play, right, because I would anticipate he's going to be out there.”

— Steven Pearl, Head Coach, Auburn Men's Basketball

“What's happening is being done within the guidelines that we're currently operating under. If you can get a judge to get a temporary restraining order to allow a player to play, then until (coaches are) told they can't do that, that's what people will continue to do.”

— Steven Pearl, Head Coach, Auburn Men's Basketball

“All Nate (Oats) is trying to do is win basketball games. That's what we're all trying to do. I can't say whether that's right or wrong — that's not my place.”

— Steven Pearl, Head Coach, Auburn Men's Basketball

What’s next

The judge in Bediako's case will rule on the injunction request on Friday, February 3, 2026, which will determine if he is eligible to play in the Alabama-Auburn game the following day.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex legal battles the NCAA is facing over its ability to enforce eligibility rules, with coaches like Pearl taking a pragmatic approach and preparing for all scenarios. The outcome could have broader implications for the NCAA's authority moving forward.