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SMU Takes Social Media Shot at Bruce Pearl for Auburn Support
SMU basketball team calls out former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl for backing the Tigers over the Mustangs' NCAA Tournament bid.
Mar. 16, 2026 at 2:33am
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The SMU basketball team took to social media to take a dig at former Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl, who had publicly backed the Tigers to make the NCAA Tournament over SMU. Despite the long odds, SMU ended up earning a 'first four' bid, while Auburn missed out. SMU's official Twitter account posted a message saying 'We can't all be named Pearl', a clear reference to Pearl's vocal support of his former team and son Steven, the current Auburn head coach.
Why it matters
This social media exchange highlights the intense competition and rivalries in college basketball, especially around NCAA Tournament bids. SMU's dig at Bruce Pearl shows how teams will use any perceived slight or snub as motivation, even if it's just a coach advocating for another program. The back-and-forth also speaks to the high stakes involved, as teams fight for limited tournament spots.
The details
SMU basketball faced long odds to earn an at-large bid to the 2026 NCAA Tournament, with many analysts believing Auburn would get the nod over them. However, the Mustangs ended up securing one of the 'first four' play-in spots, while Auburn missed out on the field. This prompted SMU's official Twitter account to take a shot at former Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl, who had publicly backed the Tigers to make the tournament over SMU.
- SMU earned their NCAA Tournament bid two days before Selection Sunday.
- Bruce Pearl declared Auburn in over SMU before the 68-team field was announced.
- SMU posted their social media dig at Pearl on March 15, 2026, the day after the tournament field was revealed.
The players
SMU Basketball
The men's basketball team at Southern Methodist University, who earned an at-large bid to the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
Bruce Pearl
The former head coach of the Auburn Tigers men's basketball team, who publicly advocated for his former program to make the NCAA Tournament over SMU.
Steven Pearl
The current head coach of the Auburn Tigers men's basketball team, who is the son of former coach Bruce Pearl.
Andy Enfield
The head coach of the SMU Mustangs men's basketball team, who defended the tournament inclusion of SMU's first-round opponent, Miami (OH).
Miami (OH) RedHawks
The men's basketball team from Miami University in Ohio, who earned an at-large bid to the 2026 NCAA Tournament despite some analysts questioning their inclusion.
What they’re saying
“We can't all be named Pearl.”
— SMU Basketball, Official Twitter account
“Some people just need to be quiet on air... I think Miami of Ohio deserves to be there. To go 31-0 in the regular season is incredible.”
— Andy Enfield, Head Coach, SMU Mustangs
What’s next
The winner of the SMU-Miami (OH) first four matchup will face No. 6 seed Tennessee in the Midwest regional of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
The takeaway
This social media exchange between SMU and Bruce Pearl highlights the intense rivalries and high stakes involved in college basketball, especially around NCAA Tournament bids. Teams will use any perceived slight or snub as motivation, even if it's just a coach advocating for another program. It also shows how programs will defend their own tournament inclusion, as SMU's coach did for Miami (OH).
