NCAAB News: Auburn HC Bruce Pearl sends wake-up call after overtime loss vs Alabama ahead of postseason

The NCAA regular season ended on a bad note for the Auburn Tigers after losing in heartcrushing fashion to their historic rivals, the Alabama Crimson Tide. Despite the rivalry defeat at home, Bruce Pearl and Auburn finished the season as the best team in the SEC and will look to showcase their true colors in the postseason. Coach Pearl made sure to remind his players of what they’re gearing up for.

Mark Sears’ buzzer-beater game winner in overtime spoiled the celebrations in The Plains after a fantastic regular season. The loss at Neville Arena to the rival school from Tuscaloosa could become a burden for Auburn going into the SEC tournament and March Madness.

However, it’s not worth crying over spilled milk. Although the students would’ve loved to roll Toomer’s Corner after sweeping the season-series against Alabama, Auburn’s loss isn’t too costly, and the real challenge begins next.

With the SEC Tournament looming from March 12 to March 16, Pearl made it clear to his players that they must put the consecutive losses to Texas A&M and Alabama behind them.

Johni Broome #4 of the Auburn Tigers reacts to losing in overtime to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Neville Arena on March 8, 2025 in Auburn, Alabama.

“We’re in postseason now. We’re shifting gears to postseason, and postseason is all about step up. It’s just all about step up,” Bruce Pearl said postgame, per On3. “As you get seeded a little bit better, so you have a better chance to advance through the tournament — which you earned and we worked for.”

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Seeding

Auburn secured the number one seed in the SEC with two games to spare in the college basketball season. That sense of relief definitely impacted the program during their latest outings as they dropped consecutive games to the Aggies and the Crimson Tide.

Thanks to their finish in the top-4, Auburn secured two byes during the SEC’s first and second round. The Tigers don’t know their rival yet, though it will be whoever comes out on top in the second round matchup between #8 Ole Miss and the highest seeded program to advance in the first round.

Bruce Pearl the head coach of the Auburn Tigers gives instructions to his team against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena on March 01, 2025 in Lexington, Kentucky.

Alabama’s scenario

The Crimson Tide finished as the #3 seed in the SEC and will enjoy two byes as well as the Tigers. Alabama will wait for its opponent, that will come out from #6 Kentucky’s second round matchup with the second-lowest seeded team to move on in the first round.