Steven Pearl was not a fan of the way Auburn closed out the first half against Alabama.
The Auburn Tigers fell to the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday, and head coach Steven Pearl was not thrilled with the way things went to close things out in the first half.
Pearl was not happy with the way Auburn played on the defensive end of the floor down the stretch.
“One we talked about at the three-minute mark," Pearl said. "We've got to finish with three perfect checkouts. Very next possession, we get lost and don’t check out Mallette, and he gets the offensive rebound, kicks out and bangs a three. Next possession, we help off the strong side corner, and that was one of the rules. Never help off the strong side corner. We actually did the first play too, and another three. Then, we lay on a screen in transition."
Pearl realizes that there are going to be lapses on the defensive end of the floor at times, but he stressed how it can't be something that happens multiple times in a row.
"Understand that it’s going to happen every once in a while, but it can’t happen three straight possessions, and that’s what ultimately allowed them to cut it from 10 to four and have confidence going into the second half.”
Auburn didn't perform well defensively throughout the game, and it led to it taking a loss against a bitter rival.
“Got to guard, just got to guard," Pearl said. "Our best players have got to be better defenders. That can be a challenge, and they can take that in a negative way, or they can take it as me knowing that they’re capable, because they’ve shown the ability to do so. But if we’re going to beat the best teams on our schedule, our best players have to play better defense. Too many times, we got caught standing up, or we weren’t on their right hands, or we didn’t finish possessions. We didn’t do a great job of that tonight.”