In a rare rivalry matchup in preseason exhibition action, it seemed like The Feud was the most appropriate thing to call a showdown between the Auburn Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Just like many of the more recent meeting between the two rivals, the action was filled with emotion, and Nate Oats’ Crimson Tide came out on the winning end 87-85.
After the game, Auburn Head Coach Steven Pearl and guard Kevin Overton took to the stand at the postgame press conference, speaking on their thoughts after the game.
Here were the most notable quotes from the session, as the team closed the book on its time in Birmingham.
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Pearl on the atmosphere and overall outlook of the game:
“That felt like a Sweet Sixteen game in October. Both fanbases did a great job. That was a hell of an environment for college basketball. Obviously disappointed we came out on the short end. But one of the things we talked about this week was—we've got to get better. Last week, that was not the standard. I thought our guys battled. We played with way more physicality and way more purpose. You've got to give Alabama credit—they made some tough plays there down the stretch and were able to come away with the win.”
Pearl on both Narcisse Ngoy and Bukky Oboye getting in foul trouble:
“Thought our bigs did a better job in that area. But Narcisse has four fouls -- they're both in foul trouble the whole game. Got to do a better job of, one, not settling for cheap fouls. And then when they do contest at the rim, we've got to stay vertical and not bail those guys out with fouls and send them to the foul line.”
Overton on if the team took a step forward:
“We were more physical. I think that was the focus coming out (of) the first scrimmage, and I think we set the tone. I think we gave up some rebounds to start the second half. We weren't as intentional. But our approach of physicality was what it needed to be.”
Pearl on his message to the team after the scuffle early in the game:
“Just keep fighting. Just keep fighting. Keep your head. Understand that the referees are going to be looking for anything at this point, and you can't give them an excuse to call any silly fouls.”
Overton on how a rivalry exhibition game can build where this team wants to go emotionally:
“I think this gave us a different approach. I think me and Tahaad tried to emphasize the feel. I guess you don't really know until you know. Now that we've been through that, I think it gives everybody perspective of how we felt last year and the things that we've been talking about. I feel like we're going to be closer to that.”
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
