Bruce Pearl spoke to the media to preview Saturday's game at Florida. Here's a summary...
** Steven Pearl was 7 in 1996. Ira Bowman was a player at Penn. Bill Clinton was President and Monica was still his intern. That's how long it's been since we beat Florida in Gainesville.
** Pearl considers Florida a sleeper in SEC race. Auburn only leads UF by two games. "They're in it." Just like Alabama was biggest game of the season to that point for Auburn, it's the same for Florida this Saturday. UF has great guards that can score and a huge, athletic frontcourt. No. 2 rebounding team in the country.
** Pearl is going to remind team what they played like at Alabama, at MSU and the first half at Ole Miss. That's not good enough to win at UF.
** First few years we weren't good enough to win at UF. Last couple of times, we've gone down there with teams that were good enough to win but couldn't get it done.
** Not allowing offensive rebounding continues to be a focus and has to be against a great off rebounding team in UF. They will be longer than everyone in our frontcourt. They play with a lot of confidence at home, play really fast and shoot really well.
** Pearl said he can probably count on one hand the bad shots that Aden Holloway has taken this season. Aden knows that we have that confidence in him. He's worked so hard on the other things like defense and taking care of the ball. He's going to make shots.
** No more familiar with what Todd Golden is doing than anyone else so prep is no different. Emotion is different. Pearl wants his former assistant to do well but wants to beat the pants off him Saturday.
** Alabama guarded Tre and Aden differently. They dropped against Tre and attacked Aden. Didn't want Aden shooting. Got to take what they give you. Credit Tre for taken advantage.
** Our defense has to keep us in game for AU to have a chance to win at UF.
** Our staff is doing a great job. Scouting has been great. Player development led by Ira Bowman has been great. When Todd was here, he had a great offensive minds and analytical minds. He's played and coached under a number of great mentors. He's one of the best young coaches in the country.
*****THAT'S ALL*****
** Steven Pearl was 7 in 1996. Ira Bowman was a player at Penn. Bill Clinton was President and Monica was still his intern. That's how long it's been since we beat Florida in Gainesville.
** Pearl considers Florida a sleeper in SEC race. Auburn only leads UF by two games. "They're in it." Just like Alabama was biggest game of the season to that point for Auburn, it's the same for Florida this Saturday. UF has great guards that can score and a huge, athletic frontcourt. No. 2 rebounding team in the country.
** Pearl is going to remind team what they played like at Alabama, at MSU and the first half at Ole Miss. That's not good enough to win at UF.
** First few years we weren't good enough to win at UF. Last couple of times, we've gone down there with teams that were good enough to win but couldn't get it done.
** Not allowing offensive rebounding continues to be a focus and has to be against a great off rebounding team in UF. They will be longer than everyone in our frontcourt. They play with a lot of confidence at home, play really fast and shoot really well.
** Pearl said he can probably count on one hand the bad shots that Aden Holloway has taken this season. Aden knows that we have that confidence in him. He's worked so hard on the other things like defense and taking care of the ball. He's going to make shots.
** No more familiar with what Todd Golden is doing than anyone else so prep is no different. Emotion is different. Pearl wants his former assistant to do well but wants to beat the pants off him Saturday.
** Alabama guarded Tre and Aden differently. They dropped against Tre and attacked Aden. Didn't want Aden shooting. Got to take what they give you. Credit Tre for taken advantage.
** Our defense has to keep us in game for AU to have a chance to win at UF.
** Our staff is doing a great job. Scouting has been great. Player development led by Ira Bowman has been great. When Todd was here, he had a great offensive minds and analytical minds. He's played and coached under a number of great mentors. He's one of the best young coaches in the country.
*****THAT'S ALL*****
