We are set to speak with Bruce Pearl here in 10 minutes or so as he previews Auburn's trip to Israel.
Stay tuned for all updates.
BRRRRUUUUUUCCCCEEEEE
- Special guests for this Zoom include Jay Bilas and Roxy Bernstein of ESPN
- Thanks the NCAA for allowing the team to go to Israel. Said it is once in a lifetime experience for many. Also says players will really that they take basketball there seriously and are good.
- Mentions at Iowa they went to China, Hong Kong. Other places include Germany, some of Western Europe.
- Has exposed team to Israel and the background and history.
- Team leaves on Saturday.
- Bilas: "We couldn't be more honored to go with Auburn and his staff for this once in a lifetime trip." He played on a Duke team that went to France. It was a good education for them beyond basketball and served to bring that team together more than any in his four years.
- Bilas says Auburn really weird.
- Bernstein: "I couldn't have said yes fast enough when they asked me to go." Went to Israel four years ago for the first time. "Can't wait to see the faces on the Auburn kids when they see things over there."
- "The significant is beyond putting into words." - Bilas on the teams going to Israel. "We are going to learn a lot on this trip. And learn about each other."
- "Auburn is a close team and close program already." - Bilas
- "This has the potential to be the most significant trip I've ever heard of." - Bilas
- "It's one thing to see something or read something in the news, it's totally different to experience it." - Bernstein
- "What Bruce and his staff have done at Auburn is remarkable." - Bilas
- "This will be a different team. Some of the names will be the same, but they might have different roles." - Bilas
- This will give you a view of what this season will be like as far as roster. "It will be a great opportunity to see this team grow."
- BP says they might have a different starting lineup each game. The most challenging game will be the last one where they play against professionals including a player from the Wizards.
- I'm not trying to determine who my best players are right this second. It wouldn't be fair as they have plenty of time to show who they will be. A lot of guys will get minutes. Some guys might not dress every game. Team will play four quarters, not halves.
- "You've got to let them experience it." The best thing the team will do is walk around Jerusalem and experience it.
- The competition will be a lot better than in 2018 when the team traveled overseas.
- All of these guys have been promised an opportunity. You can't promise them too much because then they will be disappointed. Tre Donaldson comes into a deep point guard rotation.
- Says KD has done a great job with leadership, especially with Donaldson and the newcomers. "I hope he learns some things from KD. I hope he learns some things not to do from KD." - Pearl says with a laugh.
- Traore has a different level already. He's got some tools in the toolbox. Only been playing basketball for four years.
- In response to my question, BP says "You're told not to talk religion and politics. All I do is talk religion and politics."
- "If Gottlieb can win a gold medal ... It's amazing those kids were able to overcome Coach Gottlieb." - Pearl joking about Lior Berman winning the gold medal
- The Final Four and winning a gold medal was two of the greatest experiences of his life.
- BP says the itinerary is packed. City of David. Western Wall. Garden of Yosemite (I think? EDIT: Gethsemane) where Jesus was betrayed. Mount of Olives. Said some church but missed it. Going to the Holocaust Museum which will be very impactful for everyone on the trip.
- Doing a clinic with Jewish and Palestinian children headed by Tamir Goodman, AKA the Jewish Jordan.
- BP said he's reminding his team not to fart in the Dead Sea because it hurts. "I didn't believe it so I tried it."
- Going to Jordan River where, if wanted, players can be baptized.
- You don't want to get the salt in your eyes, or on the other end. - Pearl on what happens in Dead Sea.
- Tre Donaldson is a great cultural fit for Auburn. He can play any guard position.
And that is it for BP.
Stay tuned for all updates.
BRRRRUUUUUUCCCCEEEEE
- Special guests for this Zoom include Jay Bilas and Roxy Bernstein of ESPN
- Thanks the NCAA for allowing the team to go to Israel. Said it is once in a lifetime experience for many. Also says players will really that they take basketball there seriously and are good.
- Mentions at Iowa they went to China, Hong Kong. Other places include Germany, some of Western Europe.
- Has exposed team to Israel and the background and history.
- Team leaves on Saturday.
- Bilas: "We couldn't be more honored to go with Auburn and his staff for this once in a lifetime trip." He played on a Duke team that went to France. It was a good education for them beyond basketball and served to bring that team together more than any in his four years.
- Bilas says Auburn really weird.
- Bernstein: "I couldn't have said yes fast enough when they asked me to go." Went to Israel four years ago for the first time. "Can't wait to see the faces on the Auburn kids when they see things over there."
- "The significant is beyond putting into words." - Bilas on the teams going to Israel. "We are going to learn a lot on this trip. And learn about each other."
- "Auburn is a close team and close program already." - Bilas
- "This has the potential to be the most significant trip I've ever heard of." - Bilas
- "It's one thing to see something or read something in the news, it's totally different to experience it." - Bernstein
- "What Bruce and his staff have done at Auburn is remarkable." - Bilas
- "This will be a different team. Some of the names will be the same, but they might have different roles." - Bilas
- This will give you a view of what this season will be like as far as roster. "It will be a great opportunity to see this team grow."
- BP says they might have a different starting lineup each game. The most challenging game will be the last one where they play against professionals including a player from the Wizards.
- I'm not trying to determine who my best players are right this second. It wouldn't be fair as they have plenty of time to show who they will be. A lot of guys will get minutes. Some guys might not dress every game. Team will play four quarters, not halves.
- "You've got to let them experience it." The best thing the team will do is walk around Jerusalem and experience it.
- The competition will be a lot better than in 2018 when the team traveled overseas.
- All of these guys have been promised an opportunity. You can't promise them too much because then they will be disappointed. Tre Donaldson comes into a deep point guard rotation.
- Says KD has done a great job with leadership, especially with Donaldson and the newcomers. "I hope he learns some things from KD. I hope he learns some things not to do from KD." - Pearl says with a laugh.
- Traore has a different level already. He's got some tools in the toolbox. Only been playing basketball for four years.
- In response to my question, BP says "You're told not to talk religion and politics. All I do is talk religion and politics."
- "If Gottlieb can win a gold medal ... It's amazing those kids were able to overcome Coach Gottlieb." - Pearl joking about Lior Berman winning the gold medal
- The Final Four and winning a gold medal was two of the greatest experiences of his life.
- BP says the itinerary is packed. City of David. Western Wall. Garden of Yosemite (I think? EDIT: Gethsemane) where Jesus was betrayed. Mount of Olives. Said some church but missed it. Going to the Holocaust Museum which will be very impactful for everyone on the trip.
- Doing a clinic with Jewish and Palestinian children headed by Tamir Goodman, AKA the Jewish Jordan.
- BP said he's reminding his team not to fart in the Dead Sea because it hurts. "I didn't believe it so I tried it."
- Going to Jordan River where, if wanted, players can be baptized.
- You don't want to get the salt in your eyes, or on the other end. - Pearl on what happens in Dead Sea.
- Tre Donaldson is a great cultural fit for Auburn. He can play any guard position.
And that is it for BP.
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