The Ohio State basketball team has fought hard to get itself off the bubble for the NCAA Tournament. They finished the regular season on a three-game winning streak, including an upset win over Purdue. Now, they feel as though they are solidly in the field of 68 for the first time in four years.
One win in the Big Ten Tournament should lock in their status as an at-large team. ESPN's Joe Lunardi already has them firmly in the field and has the Buckeyes as a nine-seed. However, one other college basketball coach thinks the Ohio State Buckeyes and some other bubble teams should take a back seat.
Steven Pearl, who is the head coach of Auburn, after his dad helped him get it, thinks his team is a tournament team. Yes, he believes the Tigers' record of 16-15 is good enough to put them in the NCAA Tournament. Why? Because Auburn beat Florida.
Steven Pearl loses grip from reality with absurd comments that should infuriate Ohio State fans
After a loss to Alabama to finish the season, Pearl tried to lay out the case for his team making the Big Dance.
"We play in the best league in college basketball. We play in the deepest league in college basketball. We have five of some of the best wins in the country. We have the best win in college basketball at Florida. If you look at our quality wins and other teams on the bubble, I don't think those teams get those wins...I think our resume stands up against anybody's."
His Tigers have lost eight of the last ten games they have played. Their only wins in that stretch are against Kentucky and LSU. To think that Pearl believes they should get in over the Ohio State Buckeyes is ridiculous. Win games in your conference!
Ohio State won't have to worry about not getting in over Auburn, but it's ridiculous that Pearl thinks this is even a debate.