Pearl Has Respect, Fear of this Arkansas X-Factor

Auburn coach not confident Tigers can pull off win because of how much Razorback fans affect what he tries to do

Author:
Kent Smith
Updated:
Jan 5, 2024 3:12 PM EST
Original:
Jan 5, 2024

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl is uneasy about this weekend's game against Arkansas.

No, it's not the Razorbacks' offense, which he says is dramatically improved over last season despite losing four starters to the NBA. No, it's not the increased talent and depth across the board he went out of his way to mention.

Nope, there was one major worry and one major worry only.
The fans.

The last time Auburn came to Bud Walton Arena, Pearl had the No. 1 team in the country. However, the Razorback faithful made communication nearly impossible, and as Pearl remembers it, "We got court-stormed."

That particular team back in 2022 was experienced at playing in tough environments. His current group of Tigers, not so much. Pearl agonized over how much his players struggled to handle a hostile crowd at Appalachian State in Auburn's only true road game of the season. That's led to him being even more cautious about how things could play out at Arkansas, even taking time to stress to those who would listen that there needs to be an understanding that Auburn is going to lose games this year.

"The crowd noise will be, it'll be deafening you know," Pearl said. "We we rely on communication a great deal. Both of the players out there on the floor communicating with each other in coverages. They won't hear each other nearly as well. So I've got to be able to read body languages and things along those lines. They won't be able to hear me, and so play calling will be challenging, and so they're gonna have to pay closer attention in an adverse situation."

He went on to describe this as the toughest gameAuburn will face all season. Coming into Fayetteville will be an adjustment even for players who made the rounds through the SEC last year since they avoided the hornet's nest that is Bud Walton.

"Great home court advantages do two things," Pearl said. "One, it can elevate the level of play of the home team, and it's always elevated Arkansas; play. Okay. Neville Arena elevates our play. It just does, alright. Sometimes, the environment can also be a factor with the opponent. We see that in Jordan-Hare Stadium every year. We see it every year. And I think that last year, I don't think the road environment was a factor for us."

Auburn's goal is to keep Arkansas in the low 70s or less. That's where Pearl says his team "has a fighting chance." However, if the fans find good reason to take over the game, he says it will be over for the Tigers.

"If our play gets affected adversely in Arkansas," Pearl said, "we'll get run out."