In the Auburn-Alabama rivalry, both sides are reluctant to praise the other. Sometimes, though, you have to give credit where it’s due.

Bruce Pearl’s Tigers picked up a huge win over Alabama (84-63) Saturday night to get to 4-4 in conference play and try to gain some momentum for the rest of the SEC schedule. The Auburn Arena crowd was fired up for the showdown with the Crimson Tide, something UA’s John Petty noticed.

“This is a tough building to play in. Tonight just wasn’t our night,” Petty said, per Justin Lee of the Opelika-Auburn News.

Petty’s praise for the rival fans wasn’t done.

“You’ve just got to give credit to [the Tigers],” he added. “They came out, they shot the ball tremendously well and they just had their fans in the game — which, it’s some of the best fans, probably, in the NCAA, so give them credit.”

That may not sit well with Crimson Tide hoops fans.

Petty led the Alabama scoring effort with 18 points in the road loss.