Step aside Duke, there’s a new college basketball villain in town and it’s Auburn University.
Led by the Pearl family, Auburn’s push for an NCAA Tournament bid has turned into a social media disaster for the Tigers, who, despite all the trouble, will play in the NIT.
It started with Bruce Pearl. After leading Auburn to the Final Four last season, the Tigers’ winningest coach abruptly retired just six weeks before tip-off and installed his son, Steven, a longtime assistant with no head-coaching experience, as the man tasked to lead the way.
Bruce Pearl quitting on his team two weeks before the season so that the players had nowhere to go and so Auburn had to hire his unqualified son as HC is one of college athletics all-time selfish moves.
And college athletics is filled with selfish moves.
— Mark Nagi (@MarkNagi) March 13, 2026
Bruce Pearl’s heel turn has been incredible.
Literally took Auburn to the Final Four last year. Best coach in school history.
“Retires” to give his son an undeserved opportunity.
Doesn’t even end up running for senate. Says multiple idiotic things on TV.
Brutal.
— Adam Spencer (@AdamSpencer4) March 13, 2026
Then Bruce Pearl’s new analyst gig with CBS Sports is where the trouble really started. With Auburn on the outside looking in leading up to March, Pearl took to national television to openly trash the then-undefeated Miami (Ohio) Redhawks, who were likely to take Auburn’s spot on the bubble.
When Pearl used the word “we” on air while discussing Auburn’s tournament chances, Miami (Ohio) Athletic Director David Sayler pounced.
He said “We” when referring to Auburn….come on!
He is on the wrong side of this argument and it is clear that nepotism is a powerful drug!! https://t.co/JjygcmJzmI
— David Sayler (@MiamiOH_DSayler) March 2, 2026
It was a damaging episode that raised real questions about whether Pearl could separate his analyst role from his Auburn ties.
Bruce Pearl is adamant that Miami (OH) should be left out of the NCAA Tournament if they don’t win the MAC Tournament
“Because as an at-large, they are not one of the best teams in the country.”
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) March 1, 2026
Spoken like a guy whose son’s team is on the bubble
— Dustin (@d_st_n) March 1, 2026
Miami Ohio’s AD David Sayler responded to Bruce Pearl:
“You are flat out wrong.. The disrespect is awful and you should not be near a TV studio covering this sport when you show your true colors! Even slipped in a “we” when talking about Auburn, nice work!” pic.twitter.com/phDcmaUPhE
— College Basketball Content (@CBBcontent) March 2, 2026
Already under scrutiny, Auburn’s case collapsed when the Tigers lost nine of their last 12 games and were eliminated in the second round of the SEC Tournament, finishing with a 17-16 record.
What followed was an Auburn lobbying blitz on social media that infuriated fans, who saw a team with 16 losses trying to leapfrog a 31-1 Miami (Ohio) squad.
Never ran from a fight 💪#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/3aIGBv9Bgz
— Auburn Basketball (@AuburnMBB) March 13, 2026
Lit it up all season 🔥 pic.twitter.com/p2Yb4Dd5oz
— Auburn Basketball (@AuburnMBB) March 14, 2026
Please bro just let us into the NCAA tournament bro we promise that our offense is good don’t worry that we couldn’t defend or win most of our conference games and have 16 losses we deserve it because we’re posting about it bro https://t.co/JZw64JXaby
— TalkinBlers Podcast (@BlersTalking) March 14, 2026
Absolutely pathetic begging 😂 https://t.co/GuF0HEFb5R
— Iowa EveryJer (@clonesjer) March 14, 2026
Ultimately, Auburn’s record was not enough to secure them an at-large bid into the Big Dance.
Bruce Pearl, who worked as an analyst on the Selection Show, was visibly unhappy at the slight.
Bruce Pearl: “Auburn beat 3 champions this year. They beat Florida, they beat St. John’s, and they beat Arkansas. They played the toughest schedule in the country, don’t know if they were rewarded for it.” pic.twitter.com/8aUDmFRBo8
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 15, 2026
Unsurprisingly, Bruce Pearl used the CBS Selection Show to stump for his son and his Auburn team that missed the tournament.https://t.co/CaHrJGAx6i
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 16, 2026
Bruce Pearl quit Auburn just to go host the Selection Show and tell the world that Auburn missed the tournament. pic.twitter.com/DMmLvUHdV9
— Rare Rookies (@rarerookies) March 15, 2026
After months of national debate, Auburn now looks on to the NIT Tournament, where surely everyone will be rooting against them while they play the mid-majors they said they would’ve beaten all season.
Respect the hell out of Auburn for accepting the NIT. If beating a bunch of mid majors is easy go do it https://t.co/bplsH4jWyR
— GFed (@GfedGoCrazy) March 16, 2026
It will be very interesting to see how far Auburn goes in a second-tier postseason tournament.
