Auburn's Bruce Pearl talks focus ahead of March Madness run
The Auburn Tigers have arrived in Lexington, and have completed its first practice inside Rupp Arena ahead of Thursday's NCAA Tournament opener with Alabama State.
Before the Tigers hit the floor for practice, head coach Bruce Pearl fielded questions from the media. Last season's early exit from the NCAA Tournament was a key topic from Wednesday's press conference, and Pearl is using last season's loss to Yale as an example of why it is important to stay focused on the task ahead instead of dwelling in past failures.
"We talked about our exit from the tournament last year in the 4-13 game against Yale, we talked about it this morning. Yale outplayed us," Pearl said Wednesday. "We shot 50% in the game. Typically that's good enough to win. We fouled them too much. We turned the ball over late, crucial moments, and we didn't make free throws at the end. And as a result, we lost the game. Anybody can have that one shining moment."
The same lesson can be taught for past successes as well. Auburn has been one of the best teams in the country this season, resulting in an SEC regular season championship, the overall No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, and the best resume in the country. Pearl is proud of his team's success, but wants them to have a short memory as the tournament begins.
"That's in the past right now," Pearl said. "We are six wins away from achieving what our real goal is, which is to win the national championship. We recognize that at any stop, including tomorrow, we could lose. We're going to do everything we possibly can to not."
The Tigers open NCAA Tournament play on Thursday at 1:50 p.m. CT against in-state foe Alabama State. The game will be broadcasted live on CBS.
This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Auburn's Bruce Pearl discusses importance of staying focused
Topics
-
Bruce Pearl points to No. 3 Auburn's resume in saying Tigers deserve NCAA's No. 1 overall seed
The Auburn Tigers go into the NCAA Tournament having lost three of their final four games. Coach Bruce Pearl isn't worried. “We lost to Alabama, Tennessee and at Texas A&M,” Pearl said Saturday ...Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Auburn's Bruce Pearl states case for No. 1 overall seed in NCAA Tournament
Pearl cites Auburn's 'historic' resume as the sole reason for Auburn's top overall seed case.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Auburn basketball falls in latest USA TODAY Coaches Poll before March Madness
Here is a look at how Auburn's performance in the SEC Tournament affects their standing in the final coaches poll before the NCAA Tournament.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Auburn is the No. 1 seed in the South Region; Tigers seek redress after first-round ouster last year
Auburn is the No. 1 overall seed for the NCAA Tournament and is headed to the South Region, where coach Bruce Pearl and the Tigers will be trying to seek a little bit of retribution after a ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Naismith Award finalists include Auburn's Johni Broome, Bruce Pearl
Auburn's head coach and star forward are up for national honors after leading the Tigers to the SEC regular season championship.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Bruce Pearl points to No. 3 Auburn’s resume in saying Tigers deserve NCAA’s No. 1 overall seed
Auburn won this tournament last year only to wind up a No. 4 seed when the selection committee announced the NCAA Tournament bracket. Auburn lost to Yale in the first round.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Auburn's first round game is officially set. Time, date for March Madness first round game
What time does Auburn basketball play in March Madness Round of 64? Here’s time, date, TV for 2025 NCAA Tournament opener.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Auburn basketball's NCAA Tournament résumé, bracketology projections before Selection Sunday
After it got bounced from the SEC Tournament on Saturday, here's where Auburn basketball's SEC Tournament odds stand ahead of Selection Sunday.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
What to know: Auburn basketball facing Alabama State or Saint Francis to start March Madness
Who will Auburn basketball play to open the NCAA Tournament? It'll be one of these two mid-majors.Yahoo Sports - 3d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
British and Irish Lions to play a First Nations selection as part of 2025 tour to Australia
The British and Irish Lions will play a First Nations lineup in Melbourne as part of the nine-game tour of Australia that includes three test matches against Joe Schmidt's Wallabies. Rugby ...Yahoo Sports - 26m -
Watson's 24 lead Loyola Chicago over San Jose State in NIT 73-70
Yahoo Sports - 29m -
Lord Coe must become IOC chief – his rivals are fatally compromised
If you were looking to avoid uncomfortable scrutiny, you could hardly choose a better location than Costa Navarino, this clifftop nirvana in the southwest Peloponnese. With its sprawling villas and ...Yahoo Sports - 29m -
Thomas scores 21 as San Francisco defeats Utah Valley 79-70 in NIT
Yahoo Sports - 30m -
Here's what happened the last time Brad Underwood's Illinois team played Xavier
Ayo Dosunmu became a Chicago Bulls guard, but his Illinois team couldn't beat Xavier in Hawaii in 2018.Yahoo Sports - 30m
More in Sports
-
It's election day for the IOC choosing a new Olympics leader
A new president of the IOC will be elected Thursday as just the 10th leader in its 131-year history after one of the most open Olympic elections in decadesABC News - 18m -
Lions propose significant playoff seeding change
The Lions have proposed a significant change to NFL playoff seeding that would largely use regular-season records as the guiding principle.ESPN - 22m -
Jackie Robinson story restored at Defense Dept.
An article about Jackie Robinson's military service was again available on the Department of Defense website after it was initially deleted with the URL redirecting to one that added the letters ...ESPN - 22m -
Reports: Stanford coach bullied athletics staff
Troy Taylor remains on the job. In a statement released by Stanford, he said he had received counseling on "how I interact with others."ESPN - 22m -
WR Moore catches on with Vikes after missing '24
Wide receiver/returner Rondale Moore, who missed the entire 2024 season with the Falcons because of a knee injury, has reached a deal with the Vikings.ESPN - 22m