Overview
- Auburn was listed among the first teams left out of the NCAA Tournament, with the committee chair citing a .515 winning percentage and 16 losses despite a strong schedule and quality wins.
- On CBS/TNT’s broadcast, Bruce Pearl argued Auburn should have been selected over SMU, pointing to victories over Florida, St. John’s and Arkansas and what he called the nation’s toughest schedule.
- AL.com reporting, echoed by Awful Announcing, shows Pearl remains on Auburn’s payroll as a Special Assistant to the Athletic Director, with about $156,250 in payments since September and a payment recorded on Feb. 27.
- Pearl’s advocacy drew pushback on air from colleague Clark Kellogg and prompted online jabs from programs including SMU and UMBC, as well as criticism of CBS for featuring him without clearer disclosures.
- Auburn will continue its season in the NIT and is set to host South Alabama on Tuesday night, according to Auburn Wire via Yahoo.