Stephen A. Smith Blasts Auburn & Bruce Pearl Ahead of March Madness: A Call to “Step Your Game Up”
In a fiery segment on ESPN’s First Take, Stephen A. Smith did what he does best—spark controversy. This time, his target was Auburn University and head coach Bruce Pearl. As March Madness looms, Smith did not hold back, calling out the Tigers for what he described as underwhelming performances in big moments.
“I’m looking at Auburn right now, and I gotta tell you—what happened to this program? Where’s the fire? Where’s the dominance?” Smith thundered. “Bruce Pearl, you’re a great coach, but you and your squad need to step your game up, period!”
Smith’s critique comes on the heels of Auburn’s inconsistent play this season. While the Tigers have shown flashes of brilliance, they have also suffered head-scratching losses, raising doubts about their ability to make a deep tournament run. The program, which reached the Final Four in 2019, has struggled to recapture that magic in recent years. Smith’s frustration centers on Auburn’s lack of a killer instinct.
“I see talent. I see athletes. But what I don’t see is a team that looks like it’s ready to go to war in March!” Smith continued. “You’ve got shooters, you’ve got defense, but do you have that DAWG in you? I don’t know, and that’s a damn shame!”
Bruce Pearl, a charismatic and passionate coach, has built Auburn into an SEC powerhouse. Yet, Smith argued that the program has not delivered on its full potential. Auburn fans, known for their unwavering support, quickly fired back on social media, defending Pearl’s track record. However, some agreed that this year’s team has yet to prove itself as a true title contender.
The controversy deepened when Smith hinted that Auburn might not even make it past the first weekend of the tournament. “Y’all better hope for a favorable draw, because if you run into the wrong team, it’s gonna be an early flight back to Alabama!”
Pearl, never one to shy away from criticism, responded in a press conference. “Stephen A. does what he does best—talk. We’ll do our talking on the court,” he said with a confident grin.
Now, the pressure is on. Will Auburn rise to the occasion and silence the doubters, or will Smith’s words prove prophetic? March Madness is all about heart, grit, and proving people wrong. The Tigers’ response to this moment will define their legacy.
One thing is certain: Stephen A. Smith has just made Auburn’s March Madness journey even more interesting.
