The philosophy hasn’t changed—only the person leading it. Bruce Pearl spent years building Auburn’s identity around chasing big non-conference opponents, believing early-season challenges created teams built for March. Now it’s his son, Steven Pearl, stepping into the spotlight for the first time as head coach, and the Tigers haven’t moved away from that mentality.
That approach is on full display this week at the Players Era Festival. Auburn opens with undefeated Oregon and is locked into a second game with Michigan—two early tests that fit perfectly with the standard this program has embraced. And the rest of the field is just as loaded. No. 2 Houston, who slipped past Auburn by a single point last week, joins a lineup stacked with national powers: No. 11 Alabama, No. 13 Gonzaga, No. 14 St. John’s, No. 16 Iowa State, No. 20 Tennessee and No. 24 Kansas. It’s the kind of unforgiving field Bruce Pearl has always wanted Auburn to dive into headfirst — and now his son, Steven Pearl, is the one leading them into it.
These are fun events,” Pearl said. “You learn a lot about your team. It really is all hands on deck. You’ve got to lean on your staff in these situations because you’re only as good as the (person) next to you. That’s why our staff is so successful because you can rely on everybody to do their job.
This tournament also highlights the money-driven era college basketball has entered. The Players Era Festival has surged from a small event into an NIL-fueled, 18-team spectacle spread across two major Las Vegas arenas. Programs aren’t just drawn in by the competition—they’re attracted by the exposure, the financial opportunities and the massive spotlight tied to a nationally televised event. It has quickly become one of the most lucrative and attention-heavy early-season showcases in the country.
For Auburn, the timing couldn’t be more important. This roster is still learning itself—new players, new roles and chemistry that’s still forming. They’re talented, but they’re not a finished product yet. A week like this, with three guaranteed games against top-tier competition in Las Vegas—even if only the first two matchups are set—should reveal a lot about where this team stands and shed light on both the strengths they can build around and the areas that still need improvement.
And once this tournament ends, the challenge doesn’t let up. Auburn’s December slate is just as brutal, featuring three straight games against ranked opponents: No. 25 NC State, No. 4 Arizona and No. 1 Purdue. For a team still coming together, the next few weeks will offer as clear a measuring stick as any before the SEC grind begins.
The Tigers get their first shot tonight at 7 p.m. CT when they take on unbeaten Oregon, with the game airing nationally on truTV.