Bruce Pearl is going out on a limb with his bold NCAA Tournament take.
The former Auburn Tigers head coach, who led the SEC program to a Final Four, is not sure that a currently undefeated team is a 100 percent lock to reach the NCAA Tournament later this month.
Given that we're in March, that's quite a take.
But he's honest about it.
Miami (Ohio) is currently 29-0 on the season. However, if Miami was to lose a game in their conference tournament, they would not get an automatic berth into the Big Dance. But they'd get an at-large berth, right?
Pearl does not believe that the RedHawks are a 100 percent lock to make it as an at-large team.
“Miami (Ohio), here’s the deal,” Pearl said during a Big East college basketball studio show for TNT Sports. “Are we selecting the 68 most deserving teams? Or are we going to select the 68 best teams? If we’re selecting the 68 best teams, then Miami (Ohio) is going to have to win their tournament to qualify as a champion. Because as an at-large, they are not one of the best teams in the country. And that’s going to be a difficult choice for the committee to make.”
Pearl's son, who is coaching Auburn, could be on the bubble, too. Auburn is 15-13 ranked No. 35 in the NET.
“You’re thinking about this right now with your son, as well, with all of it," host Adam Lefkoe said to Pearl.
“Yeah. I mean, you’ve got to play your way in, or you’re going to lose your way out,” Pearl responded. “It’s just that simple with all these teams… For the mid-majors and low-majors, it’s all about the tournament, because they recognize, you know, it’s only going to be a one-bid league. For the rest of the leagues, it’s all about the grind of the regular-season championship, and I think that’s what matters most.”
It's a very bold take, that is for sure.
The 2026 NCAA Tournament will start later this month.