Bruce Pearl is aware the SEC struggled in the NCAA Tournament, and the Auburn coach spoke Sunday night after his team fell in the second round to Miami.

But there was also Kentucky’s shocking upset in the first round on Thursday, Alabama falling to Notre Dame and LSU losing to Iowa State both on Friday in the first round, then Michigan knocking off Tennessee in the second round on Saturday.

Arkansas remains after wins over New Mexico State and Vermont.

“The SEC is going to get crushed because of our tournament performance. Arkansas is the only team that’s alive. I think we just beat each other up all year. It was such a grind. Such a grind. That’s the only thing I can tell you because the league was really, really good. We didn’t show it in the tournament,” Pearl said. “But what I’ll take from this team is the fact that they brought it every night. They won more games on the road than any team in the SEC in league play, and we have the best home court advantage in league play. That’s why we were able to finish. We finished 15-3 in the league. So champions.”

Pearl’s statement didn’t sit well with college basketball fans and media.