‘They were ready to play’: Bruce Pearl praises LSU men’s basketball despite loss

By Ethan Stenger, Sports Editor

January 29, 2025

Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl reacts to a play during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Texas in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.

The No. 1 Auburn Tigers charged head-first into the PMAC and pulled out a grueling 87-74 victory over LSU on Wednesday night.

After the game, Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl made it a point to give his opponent their flowers.

“LSU started off with great effort and energy,” Pearl said. “They made some big plays defensively. You could see their athleticism.”

Once the ball was tipped off, the purple and gold played like they were shot out of a cannon. LSU ripped off a 6-0 run to start the game before Auburn began to weather the storm.

“They were way quicker and faster and more athletic to the ball in the first half, and at least at the start, hit us right in the mouth,” Pearl said. “They were ready to play.”

Both teams must be ready to play again come Saturday. Auburn travels to Oxford, MS, to play No. 23 Ole Miss, while LSU hosts Texas.

About the Contributor

Ethan Stenger, Sports Editor

Why did you join the Reveille? I worked at my student newspaper during my junior and senior years of high school, so it felt like a no-brainer. It was a smooth transition. What positions have you held at the Reveille? I was a sports reporter during my freshman year, covering soccer in the fall and the national champion gymnastics team in the spring. What's your favorite thing about working at the Reveille? The experiences that the Reveille has offered me have honestly changed my life. When I got to cover the SEC and national championships for gymnastics and Alabama-LSU on a Saturday night in Death Valley, there were moments when I just took a step back and thought, “Wow, Ethan, you can do this. This dream isn’t so far-fetched.” What's your favorite story that you've worked on so far? Last March, my mom walked into the living room while I watched a men’s college basketball game and said, “Wait, why do they play two halves instead of four quarters?” My dad had asked the same question days earlier, so I finally answered it. If you ask Google, my article is one of the first things that comes up. It’s pretty remarkable to think that people will be coming back to read my words for years to come. What do you hope to do after graduation? Inspire curiosity, spread compassion and change the world with art.