- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Auburn Basketball Coach Embraces NIT Opportunity After Missing NCAA Tournament
Steven Pearl says he's 'here to coach basketball' and won't 'take my ball and go home' despite tournament disappointment.
Mar. 16, 2026 at 11:55pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
After Auburn basketball failed to make the NCAA Tournament, head coach Steven Pearl explained why the team is embracing the opportunity to play in the NIT. Pearl said he's not the type to 'take my ball and go home' and that the team is excited to compete on a national stage, even if it's not the Big Dance they were hoping for.
Why it matters
Auburn's decision to play in the NIT shows the program's commitment to developing its players and continuing the season, rather than shutting things down early. This could pay dividends in the long run, as the extra games and experience will be valuable for the team's growth, even if they fell short of their NCAA Tournament goals this year.
The details
After Auburn lost to Tennessee in their regular season finale, they missed out on the NCAA Tournament. Rather than end their season, Pearl said the team is eager to compete in the NIT, seeing it as 'an unbelievable opportunity' to continue playing and preparing. Pearl emphasized that as a coach, he's 'here to coach basketball' and the players are 'here to play basketball', so they're not going to 'duck away' from the chance to keep competing.
- Auburn lost to Tennessee in their regular season finale on March 8, 2026.
- Auburn will play South Alabama in the first round of the NIT on March 19, 2026.
The players
Steven Pearl
The head coach of the Auburn basketball team who is embracing the opportunity to play in the NIT after his team missed the NCAA Tournament.
What they’re saying
“I'm here to coach basketball. The guys on my roster are here to play basketball. We're all here to compete… I'm not going to take my ball and go home because we didn't make the tournament.”
— Steven Pearl, Head Coach
What’s next
Auburn will face South Alabama in the first round of the NIT on Tuesday, March 19, 2026.
The takeaway
Pearl's commitment to continuing the season and providing his players with more opportunities to develop and compete, even after missing the NCAA Tournament, shows his dedication to the program's long-term success. This mindset could pay dividends in future seasons as Auburn looks to build on this year's disappointment.
