By Jacob Elsey

March 2, 2025 | 12:03 PM

Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl isn’t one to shy away from the spotlight, and as his Tigers inch closer to an SEC regular-season championship, he made sure to remind the college basketball world where his team stands—especially in comparison to Kentucky.

Following Auburn’s statement victory over the Wildcats, Pearl took the opportunity to flex his program’s recent dominance over John Calipari’s squad. With a mix of confidence and gamesmanship, the longtime coach delivered a pointed remark that added more fuel to the growing rivalry between the two programs.

“We’re not just here to compete with Kentucky—we’re here to beat them,” Pearl said. “For too long, this conference was all about one team. But times have changed.”

Auburn’s rise under Pearl has been undeniable. The Tigers, who won the SEC regular-season title in 2018 and reached the Final Four in 2019, have solidified themselves as a legitimate powerhouse in the league. This season, they have once again set the pace in the conference, leaving traditional blue-blood programs like Kentucky and Tennessee scrambling to keep up.

The latest victory over Kentucky was more than just another notch in the win column—it was a statement. The Wildcats, long considered the SEC’s premier basketball program, have struggled to maintain their dominance in recent years, while Auburn has surged ahead with a mix of elite recruiting, player development, and Pearl’s high-energy coaching style.

Fans inside Neville Arena erupted as the final buzzer sounded, knowing what the win meant for their team’s championship aspirations. Auburn’s players, feeding off their coach’s confidence, echoed his sentiments after the game.

“This is what we work for,” said star forward Johni Broome. “Coach Pearl believes in us, and we believe in ourselves. We’re not backing down from anybody.”

With just a few games left in the regular season, Auburn sits atop the SEC standings, poised to claim another conference title. And if Pearl’s comments are any indication, the Tigers aren’t satisfied with just competing—they’re aiming to be the new standard of excellence in SEC basketball.

One thing is for sure: Auburn’s rise has officially put Kentucky on notice.