In the lead-up to a major SEC showdown, Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl shared some kind words about his former team, the Tennessee Volunteers, and their current head coach, Rick Barnes. Pearl, who served as Tennessee’s head coach from 2005 to 2011, reflected on his time with the Vols and discussed his ongoing relationship with Barnes as the two coaches prepare to face off this Saturday in a high-stakes matchup.
During a press conference on Thursday, Pearl spoke fondly of both programs, saying, “These two teams, Tennessee and Auburn, have been the best two teams in the SEC, at least by winning percentage over the last eight years. I’m proud to be a part of that. And even in some smaller, lesser way, also proud that I was at both Tennessee and helped get that thing going a little bit, and now here at Auburn.”
However, despite his affection for his former team, Pearl emphasized that the friendly rivalry between the two coaches doesn’t make it easy to face off. “It doesn’t actually make it much fun at all because they know us so well and it’s hard to run what you do,” said Pearl. “Like Coach Barnes, we are who we are. And what we’ve been doing, we’ve been doing it this way for a long, long time. Nobody does it better than Rick Barnes and Tennessee.”
Pearl made it clear that while he holds no personal ill will toward Tennessee, the competition is fierce. “I want to beat Tennessee because they’re one of the best teams in our league and a team that we need to beat to be able to have a chance to be a champion. But not for any other reason. It’s no fun going up against a friend.”
Saturday’s game will be a tough one for both teams, with Pearl and Barnes expected to lead their squads in full competitive mode, despite their mutual respect. Fans will certainly witness an intense, emotional battle between two of the top teams in the SEC, but it’s clear that their friendship will remain strong, regardless of the outcome on the court.