Auburn basketball’s Bruce Pearl appeared on Monday’s edition of GoJo and Golic to discuss the current state of the SEC in college basketball and how experience has played a pivotal role in the Tigers’ success.
The Auburn Tigers sit atop the mountaintop in college basketball, ranking No. 1 in the AP Top 25 men’s poll. As a conference, the SEC has three teams in the Top 5, including Florida and Alabama. The Tigers played in the most watched college basketball game on ESPN when they traveled to Tuscaloosa to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide. Auburn was victorious 94-85, and ironically, two schools known for their football prowess commanded an audience of 3.5 million viewers, with a large part of them coming from the state of Alabama. As Pearl put it, at Auburn, they like to say they’re an “everything school.” Like the slogan goes, in the SEC it just means more.
Pearl points out that the SEC has been dominant across both men’s and women’s athletics, from revenue-generating sports to Olympic sports. Now, that same success is finally extending to men’s basketball, with the conference catching up and making its mark on the national stage. In Pearl’s eyes, the success in viewership dismisses the idea that only big-market teams drive viewership, likening it to the myth that teams like the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers are essential for strong World Series ratings. He pointed to Auburn vs. Alabama as proof that elite basketball attracts a national audience, not just market size.
What’s it like for @coachbrucepearl to see Auburn & Alabama become basketball schools? 🏀
“We like to stay at Auburn, we're sort of everything schools, and it just means more in the SEC. And, you know, you look around both men and women, and you look at all the different sports… pic.twitter.com/sD6H5pY52w
— DraftKings Network (@DKNetwork) February 24, 2025
Why has the SEC been so dominant in College Basketball? Simply put, Pearl says it comes down to commitment. Pearl pointed to the conference’s deep-rooted rivalries, passionate fan base and rich history but stressed that true growth has come from long-term investment. Pearl credited former SEC commissioner Mike Slive for laying the foundation over a decade ago, with Greg Sankey and basketball commissioner Garth Glissman continuing that momentum. He pointed to the SEC’s coaching depth, noting that even the coaches at the bottom of the league are accomplished winners with Hall of Fame credentials. Beyond coaching, Pearl highlighted the conference’s investment in facilities and NIL. He shared that the SEC has prioritized player compensation ahead of the curve. As a result, the league attracts top talent, mirroring what Ohio State has done in football, where strategic investment in athletes has translated to championship success.
The SEC is absolutely THRIVING in college hoops right now. What does @coachbrucepearl attribute that to?
"Listen, you know, there is the slogan ‘It just means more’ and I think it is all about commitment…They've gone out and hired the best coaches in the country, top to… pic.twitter.com/wO0CXrOLF7
— GoJo and Golic (@GoJoandGolic) February 24, 2025
Pearl stressed that NIL and the transfer portal have reshaped college basketball, making rosters older, deeper and more complete than ever. He acknowledges that the ability to reload quickly has been a game-changer, but he also sees challenges with the current system. While Pearl supports freedom of movement, he feels constant transferring teaches players to flee instead of fight through adversity. He completely understands the one-time transfer rule and graduate transfers, but the idea of players switching schools yearly despite signing commitments raises concerns for him. He also pointed out a major academic issue where each transfer means lost credits, and as players bounce from school to school, many may leave college without a degree once their playing careers end. Beyond that, Pearl worries that college basketball has become too transactional, stripping away the mentorship and discipline that long-term coaching relationships provide. He believes that learning to stick things out and face adversity — whether in basketball, marriage or fatherhood — builds character. Instead, the current system makes it easy for players to jump ship at the first sign of struggle, which he thinks is driving some coaches away from the profession.
Pearl sees Johni Broome as the embodiment of hard work, perseverance and the old-school development approach to college basketball. Coming from humble beginnings and unable to make an AAU team in Tampa, Broome had to prove himself at Morehead State, where he became the best player in his conference. When he transferred to Auburn, he quickly earned All-SEC honors in his first year, became an All-American in his second, and is now a frontrunner for SEC Player of the Year.
Broome’s journey is a testament to betting on yourself, putting in the work and embracing long-term development, a stark contrast to the one-and-done and transfer portal cultures dominating modern college basketball. Auburn’s roster reflects that delayed gratification mindset, with players like Dylan Cardwell and Chris Moore who have played five years under Pearl. Ultimately, he believes that if this team can win at a high level, it will send a powerful message to players and coaches that you don’t have to chase quick exits to succeed. You can still build something great by staying the course.
Watch or listen to the full show below and tune into GoJo and Golic weekday mornings from 8-10 a.m. ET on DraftKings Network! See more about how to watch DraftKings Network here.
SHOW BREAKDOWN
Hour 1: Gregg Popovich’s Final Ride, Embiid’s Knee hurt AGAIN, Celtics dominate the Knicks + NFL Combine Preview
Hour 2: Next home for Veteran QB’s, Notre Dame Women fall to NC State, Hooters’ Final Stand + Bruce Pearl joins the show
VIDEO
Watch GoJo and Golic every weekday on Samsung TV Plus, Roku, Xumo Play, Google TV and DraftKingsNetwork.com from 8 to 10 a.m. ET. The show is also available via audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also follow Mike Golic Sr. on X at @golic and Mike Golic Jr. on X at @mikegolicjr.
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