Bruce Pearl may have been

War Eagle!!! · « **on:** April 25, 2014, 02:21:33 PM »

the best hire in the history of hires...

Quote

AUBURN | Conditioning hasn't always been an emphasis for guard Malcolm Canada and he paid the price during a recent practice.

"The first day we got back and had to run, yeah, I puked," Canada said Thursday inside the Tigers' practice gym. "It was right on this court. I did make it to the trash can, so that's good. I probably learned more from that happening than anything Coach Pearl could have told me at that point. I've got to be better."

Bruce Pearl's first month on the job hasn't been easy for players working behind the scenes to make his first Auburn team a success. The new coach is all smiles during his frequent barnstorming tours aimed at stoking enthusiasm for this dispirited program and, players say, he's equally chatty when discussing basketball matters behind closed doors.

Still, that doesn't mean Pearl's directives are easy.

He has required players to rise early on Mondays and Fridays for conditioning and agility workouts on the football practice fields. The first drill begins at 6 o'clock sharp.

He also isn't a big believer in inactivity, even for a short time. Drills on the court are jammed densely into 45-minute practice sessions and circuits in the weight room have been expedited as well.

"It took a little while for us to get used to what Coach Pearl expects from us," point guard Tahj Shamsid-Deen said. "The football field was a big one. We hadn't been doing that before. We hadn't been working out at 6 a.m. before. It's a shock in the beginning, but we know it's going to take hard work to get to where (Pearl) thinks we can be next season. We all want to get there. We have to pay the price now."

Sacrifices are easier to manage when players feel accountable.

Pearl has worked hard to make that happen. The new coaching staff provides frequent updates to each player regarding his development on the court and how his skills best fit into the Tigers' new system.

"We didn't necessarily hear much of that before," Canada said.

Another important difference is how much information the coaching staff provides current players about the next generation. Each prospect who is brought on campus for an official visit is identified to the team prior to the tour and discussed at length after he heads home.

Pearl allows the team to provide honest feedback.

"When he came to us with that the first time, we were all like: Wow, this is different," Canada said. "If he's making a decision that affects the team at all, he talks with us before he makes it. When we talk amongst ourselves, we're always talking about how it's great to be included now. He has said: 'If (a prospect) doesn't fit with y'all, he isn't coming here.' That means a lot."

War Eagle!!! · « **Reply #1 on:** April 25, 2014, 02:22:06 PM »

War Eagle!!! · « **Reply #2 on:** April 25, 2014, 02:22:59 PM »

WiregrassTiger · « **Reply #3 on:** April 25, 2014, 04:03:19 PM »

To me, the biggest plus of getting Chuck back to Auburn is that maybe he can slip into the head job after Bruce bails next season. Unless he flunks out of school, of course.

Townhallsavoy · « **Reply #4 on:** April 25, 2014, 04:20:40 PM »

Buzz Killington · « **Reply #5 on:** April 25, 2014, 04:49:28 PM »

HUNH basketball and foosball...I love it

War Eagle!!! · « **Reply #6 on:** April 29, 2014, 10:40:43 AM »

Bruce Pearl meeting students in Auburn in the library to get shelter from the bad weather...AT MIDNIGHT...

Awesome...

Saniflush · « **Reply #7 on:** April 29, 2014, 11:25:16 AM »

Damn this is gonna be a fun time for basketball. I wish I was gonna be there.

WiregrassTiger · « **Reply #8 on:** April 29, 2014, 11:59:59 AM »

Quote from: Saniflush on April 29, 2014, 11:25:16 AM

Damn this is gonna be a fun time for basketball. I wish I was gonna be there.

You could try out for the team. And probably make it.

Snaggletiger · « **Reply #9 on:** April 29, 2014, 12:34:28 PM »

Quote from: WiregrassTiger on April 29, 2014, 11:59:59 AM

You could try out for the team. And probably make it.

Doubtful. The work ethic just isn't there and his percentage from behind the arc has dropped below 20%

Tiger Wench · « **Reply #10 on:** April 29, 2014, 01:44:11 PM »

Quote from: Snaggletiger on April 29, 2014, 12:34:28 PM

Doubtful. The work ethic just isn't there and his percentage from behind the arc has dropped below 20%

There's nothing wrong with Uncle Sani's skillz from behind... oh, wait.

NM

DnATL · « **Reply #11 on:** April 30, 2014, 12:33:17 AM »

Quote from: Snaggletiger on April 29, 2014, 12:34:28 PM

Doubtful. The work ethic just isn't there and his percentage from behind the arc has dropped below 20%

He shouldn't take threes - his signature basketball move is dropping dueces

Saniflush · « **Reply #12 on:** April 30, 2014, 06:26:18 AM »

Quote from: DnATL on April 30, 2014, 12:33:17 AM

He shouldn't take threes - his signature basketball move is dropping dueces

Hard to argue with past success but I think I'm gonna have to have more game in the show.

War Eagle!!! · « **Reply #13 on:** May 01, 2014, 12:59:15 PM »

Snaggletiger · « **Reply #14 on:** May 01, 2014, 01:20:25 PM »

The Bruce is Loose.

Saniflush · « **Reply #15 on:** May 01, 2014, 01:35:43 PM »

Quote from: Snaggletiger on May 01, 2014, 01:20:25 PM

The Bruce is Loose.

I am sensing that we are about to be whipping some azz in that quaint little arena located at Durham.

Snaggletiger · « **Reply #16 on:** May 01, 2014, 01:42:22 PM »

Quote from: Saniflush on May 01, 2014, 01:35:43 PM

I am sensing that we are about to be whipping some azz in that quaint little arena located at Durham.

Hey, hey hey.....Let's not get all delusional now.

wesfau2 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 01, 2014, 09:44:33 PM »

Quote from: Saniflush on May 01, 2014, 01:35:43 PM

I am sensing that we are about to be whipping some azz in that quaint little arena located at Durham.

Only seems fitting to stir the Dookie collards.

Townhallsavoy · « **Reply #18 on:** May 02, 2014, 07:31:37 AM »

If Calipari bolts for the Lakers, we may become the top program in the SEC.

AUChizad · « **Reply #19 on:** May 02, 2014, 08:53:36 AM »

I have never been this excited about Auburn football and Auburn basketball simultaneously in my life. Maybe even each individually, including football.

These are great times in Auburn fandom.

I hope Pearl eradicates that bullshit of people being Auburn football fans but UNC/Duke basketball fans. You know, those sidewalk assholes THAT CARE about some random college team they have no affiliation with.