Former Auburn Tigers coach Bruce Pearl has called out Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats for his comments on the Charles Bediako situation. On Thursday, Feb. 12, @sbecollegehoops on Instagram shared Pearl’s reaction to Oats’ recent comments about now-former Alabama big man Bediako.
Oats has been vocal with how disappointed he is with the NCAA for disallowing Bediako from continuing to play with the Alabama-based program for the rest of the 2025-26 season. Meanwhile, Pearl believes this is a selfish move on Oats’ part. While the former coach understands why he is siding with his player, it also shows that he does not care about the rest of the league.
“Bruce Pearl calls Alabama’s Nate Oats selfish regarding former pro Charles Bediako: ‘Nate said he’d play (Bediako) a 100 times again, what that tells me is Nate doesn’t really care about the SEC, he doesn’t care about the NCAA. And it’s fine, you’re (just) going to care about your student-athletes, that’s fine. But you’re a member of this conference, and you’re a member of the NCAA,'” the post quoted Pearl.
“‘What about the rest of the teams, what about the rest of the players? Why should those five teams have to play against an ineligible player? I think it was selfish, and I think it was wrong,'” it continued.
Pearl’s reaction stems from a development on Tuesday, Feb. 10, wherein a court ruled that Bediako will no longer be permitted to play out the rest of the 2025-26 collegiate hoops campaign with the Crimson Tide. His motion for a preliminary injunction was denied by an Alabama circuit judge, even though he had already played five games. Nevertheless, it seems as though individuals such as Pearl agree with the latest ruling.
The Alabama Crimson Tide Recently Beat The Auburn Tigers With Charles Bediako
Bruce Pearl finds it unfair that some teams have already faced the Alabama Crimson Tide with Bediako, but succeeding ones will not have to.
In fact, Pearl’s former team, Auburn, which is now coached by his son Steven, was one of the squads that faced Alabama with Bediako. The Tigers lost to Alabama, 96-92.
Read More: Bruce Pearl Suggests Radical Solution as Charles Bediako Return Annoys Most
Also Read: Nate Oats’ Comments About Charles Bediako Labeled ‘Nonsense’ as Eligibility Questions Remain
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