Bruce Pearl held a media session Wednesday to recap Auburn and the SEC season as a whole.
Pearl spoke about the progress Auburn has made this season and said the recognition that Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler have achieved nationally this year was previously unavailable to Auburn. As for Kessler, his decision for next season was not easy.
“I think it was tough for Walker because he was really torn between coming back and going to the draft,” Pearl said. “But he’s currently a late pick expected in the first round…He’s put himself in a good position.”
As for Smith, Pearl said he would enter the NBA as “the best big jump shooter in college basketball in the last 10 years.”
Pearl also became the latest coach to defend the SEC after the league had a disappointing performance in the NCAA Tournament after entering March Madness in as strong a position as it has been in recent memory.
“I’m going to dispel the rumor that the SEC has been overplayed all season long,” Pearl said. “That’s not right. That’s wrong.”
As for Auburn, Pearl admitted the Tigers may have peaked at the wrong time and said, “I think because we had such a tough non-conference schedule, this team had better improve quickly and they’re doing it. did.”
Looking ahead to next season, Pearl said Auburn needs to improve its shooting range.
“I expect Jaylin Williams to play a dominant role next year. He’s ready,” Pearl said, and added that the biggest need with available roster spots is to find a complement in the roster. frontcourt “We actually passed on some really good players” who they felt didn’t fit that need.
H/T Justin Ferguson and Tom Green.