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Bruce Pearl Calls for NCAA to Ban Alabama from 2026 Tournament
Former Auburn coach says Tide's legal challenge to regain player's eligibility crossed a line.
Jan. 31, 2026 at 5:47pm
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Bruce Pearl, the former Auburn basketball coach, has called for the NCAA to consider banning the Alabama Crimson Tide from the 2026 NCAA Tournament. This comes after Alabama forward Charles Bediako declared for the 2023 NBA draft, spent three seasons in the G League, and then filed a lawsuit seeking to regain his college eligibility, which a judge granted with a temporary restraining order.
Why it matters
Pearl's comments highlight the growing frustration across the SEC over eligibility enforcement and the use of legal challenges to NCAA rulings. The situation with Bediako has become a talking point about competitive fairness in college basketball, and the NCAA may need to assert more clarity on these issues before March Madness.
The details
Bediako declared for the 2023 NBA draft after three seasons at Alabama, but then filed a lawsuit seeking to regain his college eligibility, which a Tuscaloosa Circuit Court judge granted with a temporary restraining order. Since returning to the team, Bediako has scored 27 points over Alabama's last two games. Pearl believes Alabama's decision to challenge the NCAA's ruling in court crossed a line, saying 'When we don't like the ruling, what do we do? We go to court and get an injunction.'
- Bediako declared for the 2023 NBA draft after three seasons at Alabama.
- Bediako filed a lawsuit seeking to regain his college eligibility, which a judge granted with a temporary restraining order.
- Bediako has scored 27 points over Alabama's last two games since returning to the team.
The players
Bruce Pearl
The former head coach of the Auburn Tigers basketball team.
Charles Bediako
A forward for the Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team who declared for the 2023 NBA draft, spent three seasons in the G League, and then filed a lawsuit to regain his college eligibility, which a judge granted with a temporary restraining order.
Alabama Crimson Tide
The men's basketball team of the University of Alabama.
What they’re saying
“I think they should consider it. I think it's something that should be talked about.”
— Bruce Pearl, Former Auburn Coach
“When we don't like the ruling, what do we do? We go to court and get an injunction.”
— Bruce Pearl, Former Auburn Coach
What’s next
The NCAA will likely need to address the growing concerns over eligibility enforcement and the use of legal challenges to their rulings before the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
The takeaway
This situation highlights the ongoing tensions in college athletics over player eligibility and the willingness of some programs to pursue legal action to challenge NCAA decisions. The NCAA may need to provide more clarity on these issues to maintain the integrity of the sport.
