Overview
- Auburn was listed among the first four out on Selection Sunday after finishing 17-16 and dropping nine of its last 12 games.
- Pearl argued live that Auburn’s strength of schedule and quality wins warranted inclusion, naming SMU as the team he would replace.
- Selection committee chair Keith Gill cited Auburn’s .515 winning percentage and 16 losses in explaining why the Tigers were left out.
- Rival programs and figures responded online, with SMU and UMBC posting jabs and SMU coach Andy Enfield publicly backing Miami (Ohio).
- Reports noted Pearl remains on Auburn’s payroll as a special assistant, and Auburn accepted the NIT’s No. 1 overall seed to host South Alabama on Tuesday.