Auburn Coach Steven Pearl Makes Case for Tigers' NCAA Tournament Bid

After loss to Tennessee, Auburn coach argues team has done enough to earn at-large bid

Mar. 13, 2026 at 12:41am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

After Auburn's loss to Tennessee in the SEC Tournament, head coach Steven Pearl made a passionate case for why the Tigers should be included in the NCAA Tournament. Pearl highlighted Auburn's strong out-of-conference schedule, quality wins over ranked opponents, and advanced metrics that show the team is deserving of an at-large bid despite a 17-16 record.

Why it matters

Auburn is one of the most debated teams on the NCAA Tournament bubble, with many experts projecting them as the first team out of the 68-team field. Pearl's impassioned plea aims to sway the selection committee to include the Tigers, who he believes have done enough to earn a spot in the Big Dance.

The details

In his first year as head coach, Steven Pearl has led Auburn to a 17-16 record, including a 1-1 showing in the SEC Tournament. The Tigers boast ranked wins over St. John's, Arkansas, and Florida, but have lost 9 of their other games against ranked opponents. Despite the uneven record, Pearl argues Auburn's tough out-of-conference schedule, quality wins, and advanced metrics make them more deserving of an at-large bid than other bubble teams like Texas, SMU, and VCU.

  • Auburn lost to Tennessee 72-62 in the SEC Tournament on March 12, 2026.
  • The NCAA Tournament field will be revealed on Selection Sunday, March 16, 2026.

The players

Steven Pearl

Head coach of the Auburn Tigers men's basketball team.

Auburn Tigers

The men's basketball team at Auburn University, who are currently on the NCAA Tournament bubble.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Here's the thing. What people have to understand is, like, it's my job to fight for my team. It's my job to be my team's advocate. It's my job to speak about all the things that this group's done.”

— Steven Pearl, Head Coach

“If you look at the major metrics that they use — NET, KenPom, KPI, Strength of Record, and Wins Above the Bubble — we are better than every team in that group in at least five out of the seven categories, and in a couple of them six of the seven.”

— Steven Pearl, Head Coach

What’s next

The Auburn Tigers will find out if they have earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament during the NCAA Reveal Show on Selection Sunday, March 16, 2026.

The takeaway

Steven Pearl's passionate defense of Auburn's NCAA Tournament resume highlights the difficult decisions the selection committee faces in determining the final at-large bids. While the Tigers' uneven record may raise doubts, Pearl believes the team's strength of schedule, quality wins, and advanced metrics make them more deserving than other bubble teams.