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The Sky is Falling
Posted on 3/17/25 at 12:09 pm
Posted on 3/17/25 at 12:09 pm
A lot of criticism of Auburn’s March performance out there… many insinuating it’s time to panic.
The reality:
Auburn has played the #5, #6, #11, #13, and #24 teams according to the Committee since March 1st… only one of those games being at home… and we are a combined +3 points in those games.
The reality:
Auburn has played the #5, #6, #11, #13, and #24 teams according to the Committee since March 1st… only one of those games being at home… and we are a combined +3 points in those games.
11
Posted on 3/17/25 at 12:12 pm to AUTiger789
The only thing that matters is how you finish.
Posted on 3/17/25 at 12:32 pm to AUTiger789
This isn't how historical teams talk
Posted on 3/17/25 at 12:48 pm to AUTiger789
tFear is setting in. Anything short of an Elite 8 cements Bruce as an all-time tournament choke artist
Posted on 3/17/25 at 12:49 pm to AUTiger789
Bruce has made one second weekend in 11 years at the helm. He has a track record of peaking in February. I think it’s fair to be skeptical.
Posted on 3/17/25 at 12:58 pm to Glorious
quote:
tFear is setting in. Anything short of an Elite 8 cements Bruce as an all-time tournament choke artist
Is he a choke artist or is it more of he knows how to accumulate talent but doesn't know what to do with it?
He gets the players, opposing coaches find holes throughout the year, and he can't see it on film and make necessary adjustments and it costs him when he finally runs into someone near equal talent?
Posted on 3/17/25 at 1:00 pm to AUTiger789
quote:
one of those games being at home…
Which one was that one again? I forgot
Posted on 3/17/25 at 1:05 pm to teamjackson
and still the #1 overall seed. 
Posted on 3/17/25 at 1:08 pm to AUTiger789
quote:
many insinuating it’s time to panic
Those insinuating:
AUTiger789
Posted on 3/17/25 at 1:28 pm to Glorious
quote:
tFear is setting in. Anything short of an Elite 8 cements Bruce as an all-time tournament choke artist
Honestly, this is pretty accurate. Except for 2019, Pearl has only "broken even" compared to team expectations, or worse:
2022 - #2 seed (with 2 first round picks) - loses in second round to #10 seed Miami
2023 - #9 seed - won first round, lost second round to #1 seed - broke even with expectations based on seed
2024 - #4 seed - lost first round to #13 seed.
Not to mention:
2018 - #4 seed, lost in second round to #5 seed - would be a break even, but got thrashed in that second game
It's almost like that 1 point loss to UVA in 2019 for a shot at the national title broke something.
Posted on 3/17/25 at 1:51 pm to skrayper
And he should’ve lost first round his final four year. If New Mexico St. simply makes some free throws the narrative on Bruce would be that he chokes in March.
Posted on 3/17/25 at 2:04 pm to Temple of the Dog
That’s why his wife left him. He should know this by now.
Posted on 3/17/25 at 2:51 pm to Glorious
quote:
Anything short of an Elite 8 cements Bruce as an all-time tournament choke artist
Well that’s just stupid. Take a look at his performance since he got to Auburn.
2018: 4-seed. Made it to 2nd Round. That’s -1 round compared to what seeding should have yielded.
2019: 5-seed. Made the Final Four. That’s +3 compared to what seeding should have yielded.
2020: COVID
2021: No Tournamant
2022: 2-seed. Made the 2nd Round. That’s -2 compared to what seeding should have yielded.
2023: 9-seed. Made the 2nd Round. That’s +1 compared to what seeding should have yielded.
2024: 4-seed. Lost in 1st round. That’s -2 compared to what seeding should have yielded.
So in 5 tournaments Bruce is -1, +3, -2, +1, and -2…
Where Auburn was seeded should have yielded 8 tournament wins. Bruce’s teams have managed 7 wins. So on average thus far, his teams at Auburn are averaging coming up 0.2 win per Tournament short of expectations…. That’s hardly “all time choke artist” level.
Posted on 3/17/25 at 2:55 pm to AUTiger789
quote:
AUTiger789
What's she talking about?
Posted on 3/17/25 at 2:57 pm to skrayper
quote:
Not to mention: 2018 - #4 seed, lost in second round to #5 seed - would be a break even, but got thrashed in that second game
The end of that year sucked so much. We were already thin with Purifoy and Wiley serving suspensions, then right as we’re wrapping up the SEC regular season title Anfernee MacLemore’s foot turned the wrong direction on a rebound against USCe.
Any shot at a deep run was over as soon as that happened, even though we did enough to limp our way to the SEC title. Clemson feasted on a wounded animal.
This post was edited on 3/17/25 at 3:07 pm
Posted on 3/17/25 at 5:22 pm to Glorious
quote:And if Nate Oates doenst finish higher than Bruce does this year, there is no debate on who is the better coach.
Anything short of an Elite 8 cements Bruce as an all-time tournament choke artist
tFear is setting in for Bama fans as they know they are the inferior basketball program now
Posted on 3/17/25 at 5:25 pm to AuburnTigers
I'm choosing the whole "remember when we both didn't even go to NITs and now we are both serious Final Four candidates.....again" route.
Posted on 3/17/25 at 5:26 pm to AUTiger789
quote:
The reality:
99% of college basketball and their fans would trade places with Auburn in a second. Whatever happens, you have a great coach and program. Same thing can be said of Bama
Posted on 3/17/25 at 5:29 pm to AuburnTigers
quote:
And if Nate Oates doenst finish higher than Bruce does this year, there is no debate on who is the better coach.
This is just stupid. Auburn has the best player in college basketball this season. Sears is a good ball player and Bama has several, but I don’t see a top 10 pick on the team this season.
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