Auburn Coach Pearl Previews Upcoming Game Against Kentucky

Pearl discusses team's recent loss to Mississippi State and the importance of playing with proper footwork

Mar. 2, 2026 at 4:15am

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Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl spoke to the media ahead of the team's upcoming game against Kentucky. He addressed the Tigers' recent loss to Mississippi State, highlighting the importance of proper footwork and layup technique. Pearl also discussed the team's seven-man rotation, the annual AUtlive game that raises funds for those in need, and the team's belief in their ability to make a late-season run.

Why it matters

As Auburn looks to bounce back from a tough loss and keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive, Pearl's comments provide insight into the team's mindset and areas they are focusing on to improve their performance against a tough Kentucky squad.

The details

Pearl pointed out that Auburn finished just 5-of-14 on layups in the loss to Mississippi State, a game they lost by 6 points. He believes the issue was that the players were "playing off one foot" instead of the proper "two-foot" stance he emphasizes. Video review showed that when the Tigers played off two feet, they either drew fouls or made the layup, but off-balance one-foot attempts led to misses. Auburn shot just 33% from inside the arc against MSU, their second-lowest figure of the season. The coach hopes to see significant improvement in that area against Kentucky.

  • Auburn lost to Mississippi State on February 18, 2026.
  • Auburn will host Kentucky on February 22, 2026.

The players

Bruce Pearl

The head coach of the Auburn Tigers men's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“It's because we played off one foot — and all we talk about is not playing off one foot. You've got to play off two (feet). I was showing them possessions yesterday. Every time we played off two, it was either a foul or a made layup. Every time you played off one, it was a missed layup or no foul.”

— Bruce Pearl, Head Coach

“The things that I say … it's not just lip service. They believe it, too. They believe that they're capable of making a run and that's where I think that energy comes from.”

— Bruce Pearl, Head Coach

What’s next

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The takeaway

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