Our program is shit. I've heard multiple commentators on multiple outlets not just involved with Bammer radio and newspaper refer to Auburn as one of the lowest bottom dwelling programs in the entire country. Not just the SEC.
Bruce Pearl is a HUGE hire because it gets publicity. It puts Auburn on the map. He could coach for three years and move on to bigger pastures or he could be mediocre for 5-6. His name and the hype machine behind it will bring in recruits that would have never considered Auburn.
What we need is pipelines. We need the good high school basketball programs and AAU sponsors to bring their kids to see our facilities. It is beyond ridiculous that we are not at least given a look by multiple top 50 players each recruiting season. We are in the South, and we have the nicest, most updated basketball facilities in the conference.
Even if Pearl dwindles, at least our reputation builds. The allure of playing in a state of the art facility will be there for the 3-4 star recruits that can build a tournament team every few years. That's all we we want, really. I personally don't think about making it to the Final Four. I just want a competitive team.