Before Auburn’s game against Creighton, Bruce Pearl talks about the team’s effort and intensity.

The bright lights of March Madness don’t faze Bruce Pearl. As Auburn prepared to take on Creighton in the Round of 32, Pearl spoke candidly about what he believes will determine the outcome: effort, intensity, and a collective will to win.

“Our effort and intensity have to travel,” Pearl said in his pregame press conference. “It’s who we are. In March, talent alone doesn’t win you games. Grit, heart, and how hard you play — that’s what gets you to the Sweet 16.”

Auburn, seeded No. 4 in the Midwest Region, faced a formidable challenge in fifth-seeded Creighton, a team known for its high-powered offense and veteran leadership. But Pearl wasn’t dwelling on scouting reports or statistics. For him, it boiled down to whether the Tigers could outwork the Bluejays for 40 minutes.

Setting the Tone

Pearl’s voice was animated as he addressed reporters. A decade into building Auburn into a perennial SEC and national contender, the head coach knows that tournament basketball requires a different level of commitment.

“You can’t turn the switch on and off in this tournament,” Pearl said. “You’ve got to be ready from the opening tip, and you’ve got to sustain it. Every loose ball, every rebound — we have to treat it like it’s the last possession of our season.”

Pearl pointed to Auburn’s defensive identity, forged during the grind of the SEC schedule, as the foundation of their game plan. The Tigers enter the matchup ranked among the nation’s leaders in defensive efficiency, a hallmark of Pearl’s teams during his tenure on The Plains.

“We don’t win this game unless we defend at the level we’re capable of,” Pearl said. “Creighton’s going to make shots — they’re a great offensive team — but it’s about making them uncomfortable, forcing tough looks, and rebounding the basketball.”

Experience and Leadership

Pearl lauded the leadership of his upperclassmen, especially forward Johni Broome and guard K.D. Johnson, who have anchored Auburn’s balanced attack all season.

“These guys have been here before,” Pearl said. “They’ve been through the battles in the SEC, they’ve played in front of hostile crowds, they’ve dealt with adversity. In March, your veterans have to lead, and I trust our guys.”

Broome, the All-SEC big man, has been a steady force for the Tigers on both ends of the floor, while Johnson’s relentless energy and defensive tenacity have provided Auburn with a spark in clutch moments.

“We talk about toughness, but it’s also about composure,” Pearl said. “When Creighton goes on a run — and they will — we need K.D., Johni, Tre [Donaldson] to settle us down and make plays.”

Auburn’s Identity: Relentless on Defense, Fast in Transition

Pearl emphasized that Auburn’s success all season has been rooted in defense turning into offense. When the Tigers are at their best, they pressure ball handlers, contest every shot, and force turnovers that lead to easy transition buckets.

“Our best offense starts on the defensive end,” Pearl said. “We have to create chaos. We have to turn them over, run the floor, and attack before their defense gets set.”

Against Creighton’s disciplined half-court defense, Pearl said it’s imperative for Auburn to push the pace and avoid playing in the Bluejays’ comfort zone.

“Creighton’s so good at controlling tempo,” Pearl said. “We need to make this an Auburn game — up-tempo, physical, and tough.”

Mentality Over Matchups

While Pearl acknowledged the individual talent Creighton brings to the floor — including center Ryan Kalkbrenner and sharpshooter Baylor Scheierman — he kept returning to Auburn’s mentality.

“It’s not about who’s taller, who’s faster, who shoots it better on paper,” Pearl said. “It’s about who wants it more. We’ve got to scrap for every inch.”

Pearl’s philosophy has long been centered on building blue-collar teams that pride themselves on outworking opponents. This Auburn squad fits that mold, with players who take charges, dive for loose balls, and fight through screens.

“That’s the identity we’ve built,” Pearl said. “It’s Auburn basketball.”

Learning from Past Runs

Pearl also reflected on Auburn’s previous deep tournament runs, including the Tigers’ memorable trip to the 2019 Final Four, as a model for how this team should approach its path through March.

“The 2019 team didn’t just win games because they were talented — they won because they were the hardest-playing team every night,” Pearl said. “That’s what we’re preaching to this group.”

Pearl added that while the roster is different, the formula for advancing remains the same: intensity, selflessness, and the ability to rise to the moment.

“You’ve got to embrace the pressure,” Pearl said. “In this tournament, everyone’s good. The teams that win are the ones who make the gritty plays.”

Managing Emotions in a Hostile Setting

Playing Creighton in Omaha, just a short drive from the Bluejays’ home campus, meant Auburn would face a raucous, pro-Creighton crowd. Pearl said managing emotions in a hostile environment would be a key factor.

“We’ve been in hostile arenas all year — Rupp Arena, Coleman Coliseum, Bud Walton,” Pearl said, referencing road games against SEC powers Kentucky, Alabama, and Arkansas. “So we’ve been there before. The crowd’s going to be loud, but our focus has to be on the floor, not the stands.”

Pearl added that he’s urged his players to channel the energy of the crowd into fuel.

“We love being the villain on the road,” Johnson said earlier in the week. “It makes us lock in even more.”

Trust in Player Development

Pearl highlighted the growth of several players throughout the season, noting that Auburn’s depth could be a deciding factor in the matchup.

“Guys like Chris Moore and Chad Baker-Mazara — they’ve improved every week,” Pearl said. “This is a team where anyone can step up. We need our bench to bring the same effort as our starters.”

Pearl has consistently rotated 8-9 players deep, a strategy he believes gives Auburn an edge in the latter stages of close games.

“When you’ve got fresh legs and guys who play with fire, you’re dangerous,” Pearl said.

Preparation Behind the Scenes

Pearl credited his assistant coaches and support staff for putting together a meticulous game plan against Creighton.

“We’re blessed with a great staff,” Pearl said. “They’ve broken down film, found tendencies, and prepared these guys the right way.”

Assistant coaches Ira Bowman and Wes Flanigan, in particular, have been instrumental in Auburn’s defensive schemes and player development.

“They deserve so much credit,” Pearl said. “They’ve helped build a culture where these players buy into the work every day.”

Final Message to the Team

As the Tigers readied for tipoff, Pearl shared the message he gave to his team in the locker room.

“I told them: ‘Effort and intensity — that’s what we’re bringing to the fight,’” Pearl said. “‘No one’s going to outwork us tonight. Every rebound, every loose ball — it’s ours.’”

Pearl acknowledged that while the stakes are high, the key is staying true to the team’s identity.

“We don’t need to be anyone else,” Pearl said. “We need to be Auburn basketball.”

Players Echo the Mindset

Pearl’s message resonated with his players, who echoed the call for maximum effort.

“Our mentality is win or go home,” Broome said. “You give everything you’ve got, every possession.”

Donaldson, Auburn’s floor general, added that effort starts with the little things.

“It’s sprinting back on defense, it’s diving on the floor, it’s boxing out every time,” Donaldson said. “We’ve got to want it more.”

The Stakes: Sweet 16 and Beyond

A win against Creighton would secure Auburn’s second Sweet 16 berth under Pearl and further solidify the Tigers as one of the most consistent NCAA Tournament programs in the SEC over the past five years.

“We want to be playing next weekend,” Pearl said. “That’s the goal. But we’ve got to earn it.”

Final Thoughts: Intensity is the Difference

As tipoff approached, it was clear Pearl’s message wasn’t about Xs and Os — it was about heart. Auburn’s chances didn’t solely depend on defensive rotations or offensive sets, but on how hard the Tigers were willing to fight.

“In March, effort is the difference,” Pearl said. “We’re ready for a war.”

Would you like me to also add postgame quotes if you plan to continue this into a follow-up article after the Creighton matchup?