Many in Auburn believe they could have gotten Buzz if Pearl said no

[bamamarquettefan]

Well, I don't usually contribute to the rumor mill, but living a couple of miles from Auburn's campus I can't help but passing along that people around Auburn seem to believe they could have gotten Buzz if Bruce Pearl had said no. Hopefully that is just the SEC mindset that they would have done whatever it took and not because of anything Buzz did.

Regardless, I do hope the fan base realizes how incredible Buzz's run has been and remembers what seemed like a pending collapse right after Crean left and just how incredible our run of tournament bids has been - much less our second run EVER of three straight Sweet 16s. Let's not become one of those fan bases that look like we turn on a team during and after bad seasons. I hope Buzz stays a long time, but whenever he leaves I want some of the best coaches in the country to believe this is a place they can build the same kind of success Buzz has without worry about us turning on him whenever they have a year that doesn't live up to explanations. And according to www.kenpom.com, MU was still the 62nd best team in the country of 351. Yes, a heartbreaking year where we over scheduled (assuming Vander Blue would still be here) and came just a few points short here and there of winning enough games to go to the NCAA again.

[mujivitz06]

Well, I don't usually contribute to the rumor mill, but living a couple of miles from Auburn's campus I can't help but passing along that people around Auburn seem to believe they could have gotten Buzz if Bruce Pearl had said no. Hopefully that is just the SEC mindset that they would have done whatever it took and not because of anything Buzz did.

Regardless, I do hope the fan base realizes how incredible Buzz's run has been and remembers what seemed like a pending collapse right after Crean left and just how incredible our run of tournament bids has been - much less our second run EVER of three straight Sweet 16s. Let's not become one of those fan bases that look like we turn on a team during and after bad seasons. I hope Buzz stays a long time, but whenever he leaves I want some of the best coaches in the country to believe this is a place they can build the same kind of success Buzz has without worry about us turning on him whenever they have a year that doesn't live up to explanations. And according to www.kenpom.com, MU was still the 62nd best team in the country of 351. Yes, a heartbreaking year where we over scheduled (assuming Vander Blue would still be here) and came just a few points short here and there of winning enough games to go to the NCAA again.

+1

[MUWarrior4Life]

Well, I don't usually contribute to the rumor mill, but living a couple of miles from Auburn's campus I can't help but passing along that people around Auburn seem to believe they could have gotten Buzz if Bruce Pearl had said no. Hopefully that is just the SEC mindset that they would have done whatever it took and not because of anything Buzz did.

Regardless, I do hope the fan base realizes how incredible Buzz's run has been and remembers what seemed like a pending collapse right after Crean left and just how incredible our run of tournament bids has been - much less our second run EVER of three straight Sweet 16s. Let's not become one of those fan bases that look like we turn on a team during and after bad seasons. I hope Buzz stays a long time, but whenever he leaves I want some of the best coaches in the country to believe this is a place they can build the same kind of success Buzz has without worry about us turning on him whenever they have a year that doesn't live up to explanations. And according to www.kenpom.com, MU was still the 62nd best team in the country of 351. Yes, a heartbreaking year where we over scheduled (assuming Vander Blue would still be here) and came just a few points short here and there of winning enough games to go to the NCAA again.

Well said. TY Bama..

[MarquetteDano]

I know this wasn't the point of your post but the fact that Auburn had to go after someone who is known cheater tells you a lot about who they are able to get right now.

This smacks of Georgia with Harrick after his scandals.  I think Pearl will do better at Auburn than Harrick did at UGA but this is who Auburn has to go after to be successful in b-ball.  Not a sign of a school that could lure someone like Buzz away from Marquette.

[esotericmindguy]

I don't believe Buzz would go to a public university, I think faith is a huge part of his life. I think people were surprised by SMU, but I could see him at a school like that if this doesn't work out. Plus Auburn is a worse job than Marquette, they're delusional. I live in Minnesota, fans here thought they could get Buzz last year.

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

Well, I don't usually contribute to the rumor mill, but living a couple of miles from Auburn's campus I can't help but passing along that people around Auburn seem to believe they could have gotten Buzz if Bruce Pearl had said no. Hopefully that is just the SEC mindset that they would have done whatever it took and not because of anything Buzz did.

Regardless, I do hope the fan base realizes how incredible Buzz's run has been and remembers what seemed like a pending collapse right after Crean left and just how incredible our run of tournament bids has been - much less our second run EVER of three straight Sweet 16s. Let's not become one of those fan bases that look like we turn on a team during and after bad seasons. I hope Buzz stays a long time, but whenever he leaves I want some of the best coaches in the country to believe this is a place they can build the same kind of success Buzz has without worry about us turning on him whenever they have a year that doesn't live up to explanations. And according to www.kenpom.com, MU was still the 62nd best team in the country of 351. Yes, a heartbreaking year where we over scheduled (assuming Vander Blue would still be here) and came just a few points short here and there of winning enough games to go to the NCAA again.

I thought that was a condition of membership!?!

+2

[Tugg Speedman]

I don't believe Buzz would go to a public university, I think faith is a huge part of his life. I think people were surprised by SMU, but I could see him at a school like that if this doesn't work out. Plus Auburn is a worse job than Marquette, they're delusional. I live in Minnesota, fans here thought they could get Buzz last year.

They probably think they could get Phil Jackson and Coach K too.

Fact is the SEC is terrible Bball conference.  Take out Florida and Kentucky the rest of it about as good as the Missouri Valley

[Knight Commission]

A few weeks ago Collin Cowherd was interviewing the Auburn AD, and Cowherd made the comment to him over air that he had no idea who their basketball coach was.  Based on the AD's response he was clearly insulted.

Whether that interview spurred the decision or not, I believe the AD believed they needed a big name to help increase their basketball exposure nationally and were willing to make an investment, especially on the heels of their windfall in the football program this past year.

No offense to Buzz, but I doubt they would have made the same investment in Buzz as to Pearl, and therefore would have been less likely to get him. 

[KenoshaWarrior]

Every fan inflates the value of the program that they follow.

Hence fans just throw out names of any coach who is in a better situation.

[tower912]

Which is something to contemplate if Buzz were to leave.   

[Benny B]

Auburn fans are adorable... they deserve a Pulloon.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

+1,000

[Dawson Rental]

I know this wasn't the point of your post but the fact that Auburn had to go after someone who is known cheater tells you a lot about who they are able to get right now.

This smacks of Georgia with Harrick after his scandals.  I think Pearl will do better at Auburn than Harrick did at UGA but this is who Auburn has to go after to be successful in b-ball.  Not a sign of a school that could lure someone like Buzz away from Marquette.

Agreed.  I don't how anyone could see Buzz as a second option after Pearl.  Yes, Pearl has had success at another SEC school, but the methods he used to get that success lead to his firing and a ban from coaching from the NCAA.  To me this is more proof that they don't know much about basketball in that part of Alabama.  Small wonder that the most knowledgeable basketball fan in the region, bamamarquettefan follows Marquette!

That said, Auburn did not go the cheap route with Pearl getting 2.2 million a year.  Of course, with Pearl there was no buyout.

[GooooMarquette]

Great post about the home run we hit with Buzz, OP.

As for the Auburn fans thinking they could get Buzz...sounds like the Arkansas fans, Texas A&M fans, etc, etc....

[bamamarquettefan]

... Small wonder that the most knowledgeable basketball fan in the region, bamamarquettefan follows Marquette!

Ha, I like that. Unfortunately budget realities caught up with me this year. Until then I guess the fact that I was driving the three miles to see Auburn games once or twice a year and was driving 90 minutes to the Atlanta airport and then flying to Milwaukee 6 times a year shows how into both teams I am!

[willie warrior]

Great post about the home run we hit with Buzz, OP.

As for the Auburn fans thinking they could get Buzz...sounds like the Arkansas fans, Texas A&M fans, etc, etc....

The home run on Buzz was a double play this year.

[brandx]

Well, I don't usually contribute to the rumor mill, but living a couple of miles from Auburn's campus I can't help but passing along that people around Auburn seem to believe they could have gotten Buzz if Bruce Pearl had said no. Hopefully that is just the SEC mindset that they would have done whatever it took and not because of anything Buzz did.

Now you're gonna try to make me think the SEC teams are cheaters AND arrogant?

I not saying Buzz will never leave, but I'm comfortable saying he will never leave for programs like SMU or Auburn.

[tower912]

Many in Auburn think Cam Newton wasn't dirty.   

[Dawson Rental]

Ha, I like that. Unfortunately budget realities caught up with me this year. Until then I guess the fact that I was driving the three miles to see Auburn games once or twice a year and was driving 90 minutes to the Atlanta airport and then flying to Milwaukee 6 times a year shows how into both teams I am!

If there ever was a year to suffer the slings and arrows of budget realities, this was the one.

[keefe]

Many in Auburn think Cam Newton wasn't dirty.   

Cam wasn't dirty! Daddy Newton, however...

[Tugg Speedman]

Cam wasn't dirty! Daddy Newton, however...

What a terrible precedent the NCAA set here ... "Daddy will go talk to nice Coach Cal in the kitchen.  Junior, you stay here in the living room with mom and please promise you will not listen in."

[hoyasincebirth]

Agreed.  I don't how anyone could see Buzz as a second option after Pearl.  Yes, Pearl has had success at another SEC school, but the methods he used to get that success lead to his firing and a ban from coaching from the NCAA.  To me this is more proof that they don't know much about basketball in that part of Alabama.  Small wonder that the most knowledgeable basketball fan in the region, bamamarquettefan follows Marquette!

That said, Auburn did not go the cheap route with Pearl getting 2.2 million a year.  Of course, with Pearl there was no buyout.

Pearl just had some recruits over for a BBQ and then stupidly lied about it. Many have done much worst. That's barely an infraction. The only reason he got a show cause is he lied about it. if He had self reported it they would've likely got a very light slap on the wrist at most. Let's not act like he's calapari or something like that.

[Hards Alumni]

Pearl just had some recruits over for a BBQ and then stupidly lied about it. Many have done much worst. That's barely an infraction. The only reason he got a show cause is he lied about it. if He had self reported it they would've likely got a very light slap on the wrist at most. Let's not act like he's calapari or something like that.

+1

[ChicosBailBonds]

Pearl just had some recruits over for a BBQ and then stupidly lied about it. Many have done much worst. That's barely an infraction. The only reason he got a show cause is he lied about it. if He had self reported it they would've likely got a very light slap on the wrist at most. Let's not act like he's calapari or something like that.

Lying about it is the greater sin in the eyes of schools and the NCAA...we have an example from our staff just a few short years ago.

[Golden Avalanche]

Lying about it is the greater sin in the eyes of schools and the NCAA...we have an example from our staff just a few short years ago.

Not to mention that when Pearl lied at Tennessee he wasn't a young coach caught out by the nebulous labyrinth that is the NCAA rulebook. Pearl is a veteran coach who has acquainted himself well with a deep history of NCAA infractions. He knew the right course of action to take and, as usual, did all he could to evade responsibility.