Auburn's Bruce Pearl and Alabama's Nate Oats shared a handshake at SEC Tipoff '25 Men's Basketball Media Days on October 15 that went viral for several reasons. One was many Tiger fans' pro-Pearl reaction and the other was a pro-Tiger-and-Tide message from The Next Round Live that many fans rejected.
According to a number of Auburn Twitter members, Pearl was big-leaguing Oats with the handshake; pulling him in a show of dominance.
Is it beyond Pearl's mentality to get an edge by using a handshake at SEC Basketball Media Days to prove himself as the Iron Bowl of Basketball's alpha head coach? Actually, it is. Pearl has always been respectful of his peers. This isn't up his alley.
Still, the moment was a narrative win for Pearl, and a loss for Oats in that regard.
Next, The Next Round Live's caption "SEC Basketball runs through the state of Alabama" was ripped by those who won't acknowledge the changing hoops landscape in the southeast. Texas is ranked No. 7 in USA Today's SEC Men's Basketball preseason rankings and Oklahoma at No. 15. Anything can happen, but the new additions aren't seen as true threats. Arkansas is adjusting to life with John Calipari while Rick Barnes' Tennessee Vols are perennial disappointments.
Alabama took the top spot and Auburn the No. 2 spot in those rankings. Being that all three of the past regular season champions and two of the last three SEC Tournament winners hailed from the Yellowhammer State, The Next Round Live wasn't lying.
Bruce Pearl sends strong message on being an SEC head coach
Pearl doesn't take for granted being one of the SEC's 16 head basketball coaches. He made that clear in Birmingham on October 15.
“I feel like I just got here,” Pearl said in his opening remarks (h/t AuburnTigers.com). “I’m grateful to be a part of this league. I can tell you that it’s never been better: the commitment across the board, the quality of the coaches and the passion of our fanbases.”
It doesn't sound like Pearl is looking to take that Indiana job anytime soon despite rumors to the contrary.
He's got an SEC home that greatly loves Pearl back. Why leave that before his statue is built?