Auburn Basketball Struggles With 3-Point Defense

Head coach Steven Pearl reviewing game film to find solutions.

Feb. 9, 2026 at 5:55pm

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Auburn men's basketball team is searching for answers as their 3-point defense has struggled in conference play through the first 10 games of the season. Head coach Steven Pearl is closely analyzing game film to identify patterns and develop strategies to improve their perimeter defense.

Why it matters

Auburn's inability to defend the 3-point shot effectively has been a major factor in their conference struggles so far this season. Improving their 3-point defense will be crucial if they hope to turn things around and contend for a postseason berth.

The details

Coach Pearl is closely reviewing every 3-point attempt and make by opponents in conference play, categorizing them based on factors like ball screens, off-ball screens, transition, drive-and-dish, and dribble handoffs. The goal is to identify specific defensive breakdowns and develop targeted strategies to shore up their perimeter defense.

  • Through the first 10 conference games of the 2026 season

The players

Steven Pearl

Head coach of the Auburn men's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“I'm clipping, right now, every 3-point attempt and make in conference through 10 games and categorizing them based on where they have ball screens, screens off the ball, transition, drive-draw dishes, downstream dribble handoffs”

— Steven Pearl, Head Coach

What’s next

Coach Pearl and his staff will continue to analyze the game film and develop specific defensive strategies to address the team's struggles in guarding the 3-point line.

The takeaway

Improving 3-point defense will be a critical focus for the Auburn basketball team as they look to turn around their conference struggles and position themselves for a potential postseason berth.