We are set to speak with Bruce Pearl after Auburn has been named the No. 1 overall seed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
This is via Zoom for some reason so will try to keep you updated the best I can.
*** Very pleased to be recognized as the No. 1 overall seed. For me, for us, we believe that makes us the regular season national champions, but it is a tournament sport, so we are 6 games away from a national title.
*** Incredible proud of the SEC. 14 teams gets into the tournament, a conference record.
*** Played Alabama State a year ago. Up and down game. Plays an attractive style of play. Congrats to all of the teams from the state of Alabama that made it to the tournament.
*** Monday and Tuesday's practice for us will be working on us.
*** If we are able to advance to the second game, Pat Kelsey might win the national coach of the year award after leading Louisville back to NCAA. McDermott at Creighton is an offensive guru.
*** On playing so many teams in the tournament, including the other No. 1 seeds: Credits Burgo for setting up the game against Houston. The goal is to win the national championship. It allows us to say that if we don't win it we will be disappointed.
*** Mentions Florida is playing arguably the best basketball of anyone in the country.
*** These are the highest goals BP has ever had going into the tournament. "I'm a 12-seed guy."
*** On preparing for two teams: Two different groups on coaching staff will work on both teams. Mentions he will take first two days looking at Creighton and Louisville because he doesn't know who they will face in first round.
*** On Louisville being a 8 seed and being in Lexington: Most of the stuff he saw had the Cardinals at the 6 or 7 line. Mentions that Auburn has to play great teams no matter where they have to play them. Brings up Houston having to play Auburn in Birmingham. Says Auburn travels so there will be plenty of Auburn fans in Lexington.
*** On potential of facing A&M down the line and the trouble they have given Auburn: The only reason we would be excited to see A&M again is that two SEC teams would be in that game.
*** BP doesn't want to answer about second weekend matchups. Understand that. Need to handle business first.
*** On trying not to play through Johni so much: Our guards didn't have easy matchups against Tennessee. Johni had an easy matchup inside. The one thing I would like to see us do better is run the floor more. Be better in our transition offense.
*** On Johni continuing to step game up: He really has, but he also had good matchups against Ole Miss and Tennessee. Mentions that Creighton is big on the front line.
*** Update on health of team: I think we are good. I think we are 100 percent. It was great to have Denver Jones back. He is such an important piece for us.
That's it for BP. Have a great Sunday evening.
This is via Zoom for some reason so will try to keep you updated the best I can.
*** Very pleased to be recognized as the No. 1 overall seed. For me, for us, we believe that makes us the regular season national champions, but it is a tournament sport, so we are 6 games away from a national title.
*** Incredible proud of the SEC. 14 teams gets into the tournament, a conference record.
*** Played Alabama State a year ago. Up and down game. Plays an attractive style of play. Congrats to all of the teams from the state of Alabama that made it to the tournament.
*** Monday and Tuesday's practice for us will be working on us.
*** If we are able to advance to the second game, Pat Kelsey might win the national coach of the year award after leading Louisville back to NCAA. McDermott at Creighton is an offensive guru.
*** On playing so many teams in the tournament, including the other No. 1 seeds: Credits Burgo for setting up the game against Houston. The goal is to win the national championship. It allows us to say that if we don't win it we will be disappointed.
*** Mentions Florida is playing arguably the best basketball of anyone in the country.
*** These are the highest goals BP has ever had going into the tournament. "I'm a 12-seed guy."
*** On preparing for two teams: Two different groups on coaching staff will work on both teams. Mentions he will take first two days looking at Creighton and Louisville because he doesn't know who they will face in first round.
*** On Louisville being a 8 seed and being in Lexington: Most of the stuff he saw had the Cardinals at the 6 or 7 line. Mentions that Auburn has to play great teams no matter where they have to play them. Brings up Houston having to play Auburn in Birmingham. Says Auburn travels so there will be plenty of Auburn fans in Lexington.
*** On potential of facing A&M down the line and the trouble they have given Auburn: The only reason we would be excited to see A&M again is that two SEC teams would be in that game.
*** BP doesn't want to answer about second weekend matchups. Understand that. Need to handle business first.
*** On trying not to play through Johni so much: Our guards didn't have easy matchups against Tennessee. Johni had an easy matchup inside. The one thing I would like to see us do better is run the floor more. Be better in our transition offense.
*** On Johni continuing to step game up: He really has, but he also had good matchups against Ole Miss and Tennessee. Mentions that Creighton is big on the front line.
*** Update on health of team: I think we are good. I think we are 100 percent. It was great to have Denver Jones back. He is such an important piece for us.
That's it for BP. Have a great Sunday evening.
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