Bruce Pearl spoke to the media to preview Wednesday night's game against Vandy. Here's a summary...
** Pearl thinks there was too much negativity after AU's two losses this week. Wants to defend team, which worked hard to be in position they're in. Grateful for passion and intensity of fans.
** We're going to lose some more games. We're probably going to lose several more games. We're going to Ole Miss. They are 12-0 at home. Vandy out-played us in 2nd half. UF is 9-1 at home, UK undefeated at home.
** Pearl is really pleased with the position Auburn is in right now. The rest of the schedule is a daunting challenge. Got to do a better job of rebounding and making shots.
** Think players have handled adversity OK. Johni Broome stepped up, played great defense. Dylan Cardwell's fouls were unbelievable, forced Johni to play more.
** Jaylin Williams has been incredible and him playing better is important to us.
** Our players want to win. If you see us yelling or arguing on the bench, it's because we want to win.
** There's going to be a lot of 9-9's in this league that make NCAA Tournament.
** Been out-rebounded in most SEC games. That's got to be a factor.
** Vandy is a dangerous team because they've got two great guards and they can make tough shots. There will be fewer possessions in game because Vandy won't shoot until late in the shot clock -- and they make those shots.
** It's a little bit of both when it comes to shot selection and having the confidence to knock down shots.
** Aden Holloway came in with a lot of pressures. He's not shot the ball like he has in his whole career. He's getting some open one and has to knock them down. He's going to. Pearl believes it's going in every time he shoots. He's one of the leaders among freshmen in assist/turnover ratio. It's hard as a freshman. It's even tougher with the transfer portal and all the 6th-year players.
*****THAT'S ALL*****
** Pearl thinks there was too much negativity after AU's two losses this week. Wants to defend team, which worked hard to be in position they're in. Grateful for passion and intensity of fans.
** We're going to lose some more games. We're probably going to lose several more games. We're going to Ole Miss. They are 12-0 at home. Vandy out-played us in 2nd half. UF is 9-1 at home, UK undefeated at home.
** Pearl is really pleased with the position Auburn is in right now. The rest of the schedule is a daunting challenge. Got to do a better job of rebounding and making shots.
** Think players have handled adversity OK. Johni Broome stepped up, played great defense. Dylan Cardwell's fouls were unbelievable, forced Johni to play more.
** Jaylin Williams has been incredible and him playing better is important to us.
** Our players want to win. If you see us yelling or arguing on the bench, it's because we want to win.
** There's going to be a lot of 9-9's in this league that make NCAA Tournament.
** Been out-rebounded in most SEC games. That's got to be a factor.
** Vandy is a dangerous team because they've got two great guards and they can make tough shots. There will be fewer possessions in game because Vandy won't shoot until late in the shot clock -- and they make those shots.
** It's a little bit of both when it comes to shot selection and having the confidence to knock down shots.
** Aden Holloway came in with a lot of pressures. He's not shot the ball like he has in his whole career. He's getting some open one and has to knock them down. He's going to. Pearl believes it's going in every time he shoots. He's one of the leaders among freshmen in assist/turnover ratio. It's hard as a freshman. It's even tougher with the transfer portal and all the 6th-year players.
*****THAT'S ALL*****
