Auburn's head coach, Bruce Pearl, is keeping a level head despite his team's fantastic run, now sitting at an impressive No. 8 in the rankings after 11 consecutive wins. Looking ahead to the clash against Alabama on January 24, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. CT, Pearl remains grounded, insisting they are better than perceived but not as good as the recent hype suggests.
In its latest victory over Ole Miss (82-59), Pearl showcased his commitment to teamwork, with 11 Tigers each playing at least 10 minutes.
"Everybody on this team has accepted less in order for us to achieve more," Pearl said.
Alabama poses a formidable challenge, ranking in the top five nationally for scoring (89.2 points per game) and 3-pointers (11.3 per game). Pearl acknowledges the defensive test ahead, noting that the best defensive players will get more minutes against such a dynamic offensive team.
Jaylin Williams, a graduate forward, expresses confidence in their principles and defense, recognizing the toughness of facing Alabama. While Auburn swept Alabama two years ago, last season saw Crimson Tide emerging victorious twice, fueling the rivalry. Pearl admits, "They were a great team a year ago. We recognize that we got beat twice by them last year. At Auburn, that's your rival. It obviously doesn't sit great."
Senior center Dylan Cardwell downplays revenge, focusing on maintaining performance and capitalizing on Auburn's strong start in SEC play.
"We're more focused on what we can control, and what we can control is our effort and our energy," Cardwell said.
With Alabama losing to Tennessee, Auburn becomes the SEC's only unbeaten team in conference play. Pearl acknowledges the challenge, recognizing Alabama's strong home record (8-1) and noting that despite impressive road wins, his team is not yet road-tested. He anticipates a higher degree of difficulty in upcoming matchups at Alabama and Mississippi State.
As Auburn seeks its 12th consecutive victory and aims to improve its SEC record to 6-0, the game against Alabama at Coleman Coliseum becomes a crucial test. The Tigers' 16-2 overall record and 5-0 SEC record position them as a formidable force, with the game set to be broadcasted on ESPN, featuring commentary from Andy Burcham and Randall Dickey on the Auburn Sports Network.
