Auburn HC Bruce Pearl Discusses Defending the Wolverines’ twin towers and His History with Dusty May

Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl spoke with the media on Thursday ahead of the Tigers’ Sweet 16 game against Michigan. He discussed how his team plans to defend Michigan’s two towering players, Danny Wolf and Vlad Goldin, and shared his thoughts on the bracket and his connection with Florida Atlantic head coach Dusty May.

Pearl was asked about facing two 7-footers on the same team, something rare in college basketball. He compared them to the legendary McHale and Parish duo, highlighting their unique skill sets. Goldin is a dominant force in the Big Ten, while Wolf, with his impressive ball-handling and passing, stands out as one of a kind. Pearl mentioned that Auburn’s defensive focus will be on defending these two players, along with Michigan’s No. 42, who can also shoot well.

Pearl also reflected on the tournament bracket, mentioning that while he noticed some familiar teams from his time at Tennessee, his focus remains on the current competition. He spoke highly of Michigan’s strength and the quality of teams in this group, emphasizing that if Auburn can defeat teams like Creighton and Michigan, they’ll be prepared for anything in Atlanta, including a potential Final Four appearance.

When discussing changes in college basketball, Pearl acknowledged the impact of NIL and the transfer portal, noting how Auburn still has experienced players who’ve been with the program for several years. Despite the changes, Pearl is proud of Auburn’s mix of veteran players and new transfers who come from various backgrounds, showing that success can be built from anywhere.

Finally, Pearl shared some personal history with Dusty May, recalling their first encounter when May played for Oakland City and Pearl coached at Southern Indiana. He also mentioned their connection through May’s time on the Florida staff and his father’s interactions with May while he was building the Florida Atlantic program. Pearl also reminisced about how May helped recruit KT Harrell to Auburn, a key player in laying the foundation for the success of Auburn basketball during Pearl’s early years with the program.