What Bruce has done is almost unimaginable. I honestly think he’s orchestrated the greatest program turnaround in NCAA history (of any sport). It’s almost impossible to put into context unless you really followed this team during the Lebo and Barbee years, but it’s near impossible what he’s accomplished.
Quick reference for those who didn’t follow the program during those dark days:
Lebo: 6 years, 0 NCAA bids, 35-61 (.365) conference record, and also had 5 losing seasons during out of conference play.
Barbee: 4 years, 0 NCAA bids, 18-50 (.265) conference record, 49-75 (.395) out of conference record, and 0-4 in SEC tourney games. He pretty much buried a program about as deep as you can in a 4 year span. Auburn basketball at that time was more irrelevant than AOL is today.
2014, in steps Bruce Pearl and the rest is history.
It’s absolutely astonishing what he’s accomplished. Just to name a few;
1. Auburn hasn’t had anyone drafted in 20 years when he stepped on campus. In fact, they’ve only had 4 drafted in the last 30 years. Bruce has already sent 4 to the league. Two first rounders (one being a lottery pick) and two second rounders. After this year you can mark three more on that list, possibly all first rounders and a #1 overall pick.
2. During the Barbee years there was absolutely no way you were getting a top 100 player on campus to entertain an official visit, much less one to actually commit. Bruce has signed 15 top 100 players, 7 of those in the top 50, and 4 of those in the top 25. He already has another top 25 kid committed for next year. That alone is worth a lifetime contract IMO.
3. 1st 30 win season in program history, 1st Final Four in program history, first regular season SEC Championship in 20 years (3rd in program history), and first SEC Tournament Championship in 34 years (2nd in program history).
4. Turned Auburn Arena from an empty, dreadful, snooze fest into “The Jungle”. Arguably the greatest atmosphere in all of college basketball. Let that sink in for a second. Again, for those that didn’t attend games during the Barbee years, it’s almost the equivalent of watching a game in a public library to watching a game at Madison Square Garden. I believe this year makes the 6th straight year for season ticket sell outs.
5. Brought College Gameday to campus for the first time in program history. #16 Auburn vs #13 Kentucky. Delivered under pressure and won on national tv.
6. He orchestrated probably one of, if not the greatest, Final Four runs in Tourney history. ‘Slaying of the Blue Bloods’
1st round: Beat a damn good 27 win NM State team that won their regular season and tournament championship.
2nd round: Took down #4 seed Kansas
3rd round: defeated #1 seed UNC
4th round: Bested #2 seed Kentucky w/o their best player, Okeke. With him I honestly believe they win it all.
8. Also, Walker Kessler doesn’t come here unless Bruce is here.
9. After this week we’ll be a top 10 team. Anything can happen and it always takes a few breaks to go your way, but who knows what magic he’s going to make with this years team.
War Damn Eagle and give the man the keys to the city, a lifetime contract, a statue, name the arena after him, and as far as I’m concerned change Samford Hall to Pearl Hall.
Quick reference for those who didn’t follow the program during those dark days:
Lebo: 6 years, 0 NCAA bids, 35-61 (.365) conference record, and also had 5 losing seasons during out of conference play.
Barbee: 4 years, 0 NCAA bids, 18-50 (.265) conference record, 49-75 (.395) out of conference record, and 0-4 in SEC tourney games. He pretty much buried a program about as deep as you can in a 4 year span. Auburn basketball at that time was more irrelevant than AOL is today.
2014, in steps Bruce Pearl and the rest is history.
It’s absolutely astonishing what he’s accomplished. Just to name a few;
1. Auburn hasn’t had anyone drafted in 20 years when he stepped on campus. In fact, they’ve only had 4 drafted in the last 30 years. Bruce has already sent 4 to the league. Two first rounders (one being a lottery pick) and two second rounders. After this year you can mark three more on that list, possibly all first rounders and a #1 overall pick.
2. During the Barbee years there was absolutely no way you were getting a top 100 player on campus to entertain an official visit, much less one to actually commit. Bruce has signed 15 top 100 players, 7 of those in the top 50, and 4 of those in the top 25. He already has another top 25 kid committed for next year. That alone is worth a lifetime contract IMO.
3. 1st 30 win season in program history, 1st Final Four in program history, first regular season SEC Championship in 20 years (3rd in program history), and first SEC Tournament Championship in 34 years (2nd in program history).
4. Turned Auburn Arena from an empty, dreadful, snooze fest into “The Jungle”. Arguably the greatest atmosphere in all of college basketball. Let that sink in for a second. Again, for those that didn’t attend games during the Barbee years, it’s almost the equivalent of watching a game in a public library to watching a game at Madison Square Garden. I believe this year makes the 6th straight year for season ticket sell outs.
5. Brought College Gameday to campus for the first time in program history. #16 Auburn vs #13 Kentucky. Delivered under pressure and won on national tv.
6. He orchestrated probably one of, if not the greatest, Final Four runs in Tourney history. ‘Slaying of the Blue Bloods’
1st round: Beat a damn good 27 win NM State team that won their regular season and tournament championship.
2nd round: Took down #4 seed Kansas
3rd round: defeated #1 seed UNC
4th round: Bested #2 seed Kentucky w/o their best player, Okeke. With him I honestly believe they win it all.
8. Also, Walker Kessler doesn’t come here unless Bruce is here.
9. After this week we’ll be a top 10 team. Anything can happen and it always takes a few breaks to go your way, but who knows what magic he’s going to make with this years team.
War Damn Eagle and give the man the keys to the city, a lifetime contract, a statue, name the arena after him, and as far as I’m concerned change Samford Hall to Pearl Hall.
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