Bruce Pearl Makes Excuses Ahead of Auburn’s Clash with Kentucky at Rupp Arena
More than 24 hours before Auburn’s top-ranked team takes on Kentucky at Rupp Arena, head coach Bruce Pearl is already setting the stage for a possible loss.
Before leaving Auburn, Pearl previewed the upcoming matchup, acknowledging the Tigers’ strong performance across various statistical categories but highlighting one glaring issue—Auburn has not won at Kentucky since 1988.
“It’s because they’ve always been great, and we’ve usually not been great. That’s why it’s 2-31 (all-time),” Pearl admitted. “I’ve brought some really good Auburn and Tennessee teams up to Rupp and still couldn’t win.”
Then, Pearl shifted the focus to officiating, suggesting that Kentucky consistently benefits from favorable calls on their home court. “Their fans know the game. I’ve never gone to Kentucky where they didn’t get a good whistle, you know, but they’ve earned it.”
His remarks left many in the room surprised. Was he really blaming past losses on biased officiating? Pearl didn’t back down. “I’m sorry, but that’s how I feel. You put 19,000 people in the stands every night, and if you have a nationally ranked team, you’re going to get a good whistle at home. They’ve earned it, which means we have to go in there and play great.”
For Kentucky fans, hearing Pearl complain about officiating is ironic. The Wildcats have long argued that they rarely get favorable calls, regardless of where they play. Meanwhile, Auburn has certainly benefited from home-court officiating at Neville Arena.
Pearl also made sure to remind everyone that Auburn has yet to lose a conference game on the road this season. “It’s almost March, and people keep saying we can’t win away from Neville. They always emphasize our home-court advantage, but our success isn’t just because of that. We’ve won on the road, and that’s been the case for years.”
That confidence will be tested on Saturday when Auburn faces Kentucky at Rupp Arena. If Pearl’s words end up backfiring, it would be poetic justice for the Wildcats.
