'They played for Auburn.' Steven Pearl praises team for NIT title win
The first-year head coach praised his players for turning a disappointing moment into a championship mindset during its NIT run.
Auburn basketball turned a sour situation into positivity on Sunday by winning its first-ever NIT Championship after missing a bid to compete in the NCAA Tournament for the fifth straight season. Auburn accepted a bid to compete in the NIT after finishing with a 17-16 regular-season record, which was understandably disappointing for a program that has become a mainstay in the NCAA Tournament since 2018. However, the Tigers accepted their fate and chose to compete at a high level, which paid off with a championship.
Auburn head coach Steven Pearl used his team's willingness to turn a tough situation into positivity following Sunday's 92-86 overtime win over Tulsa in Indianapolis. “I’m incredibly grateful to these guys. They could’ve packed it up, and they didn’t.
These are unbelievable young men with great character from great families. I’m incredibly honored and proud to be their coach," Pearl said Sunday. “They showed they love their university.
They love Auburn, and they played for Auburn. They showed a ton of resilience. They showed what Auburn men are all about.