In the aftermath of Auburn’s recent NCAA Tournament victory over Alabama State, head coach Bruce Pearl expressed dissatisfaction with his team’s performance, suggesting it was inferior to their earlier game against Yale. Despite the 83-63 win, Pearl highlighted several critical issues that, if unaddressed, could jeopardize Auburn’s advancement in the tournament.
One of Pearl’s primary concerns was Auburn’s poor free-throw shooting. The Tigers converted only 18 of 32 attempts, a 56.3% success rate, barely surpassing Alabama State’s 57.9%. Pearl emphasized that such inefficiency could be detrimental in closer contests, stating, “We missed 14 free throws… that’s going to catch us in a close game. These next games have a chance to be closer, so we’ve got to sharpen up in that area.”
Turnovers were another area of concern. Auburn committed 12 turnovers, leading to 14 points for Alabama State. Pearl stressed the importance of valuing each possession, both offensively and defensively, to prevent opponents from capitalizing on such mistakes.
Pearl also noted a decline in his team’s effort and energy compared to their performance against Yale. He observed that Alabama State exploited Auburn’s defensive lapses, particularly during closeouts, and that his players struggled to finish plays through contact, relying too heavily on officiating decisions. Pearl remarked, “I thought our effort and energy could have been better… we just weren’t sharp.”
Reflecting on the earlier loss to Yale, Pearl acknowledged that despite the defeat, his team executed certain aspects of their game plan more effectively than they did against Alabama State. He emphasized that to succeed in the tournament, Auburn must address these shortcomings promptly.
Looking ahead, Pearl expressed concern about facing more formidable opponents like Creighton. He acknowledged that while Auburn’s athleticism and high-paced offense are strengths, they must improve free-throw shooting, reduce turnovers, and enhance defensive discipline to compete effectively against disciplined teams that excel in ball movement and efficient shooting.
In conclusion, Pearl’s critique underscores his commitment to holding his team to high standards. By addressing these issues, Auburn aims to enhance its performance in the tournament’s subsequent rounds.
