Steven Pearl explains recent discipline for KeShawn Murphy, other Auburn players: ‘I’m not asking a lot’
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Steven Pearl may be in his first season with Auburn basketball, but he’s shown a few times this year that Auburn basketball has a standard, and players are expected to uphold it.
Recently, Pearl suspended standout forward Keyshawn Hall. A few games later on Saturday, KeShawn Murphy was held out of the starting lineup after he showed up late for a film session. Peal spoke about the Murphy issue briefly after Saturday’s game, but had more to say regarding Murphy’s and other disciplinary occurrences on Monday.
To start, he pointed out that Murphy has only been late to film once all year, insisting it was an “honest mistake.”
He continued, however, saying that Auburn expects more from players, especially with those players making significant NIL money. “We have a standard,” Pearl said. “If guys are going to be making this amount of money, expectations and standards are going to be held. That’s how we’re going to run our program.” Peal finished with, “I’m not asking a lot.”
Pearl has been consistent on this standard all season for the Tigers. Hall sitting earlier in the year definitely didn’t help Auburn’s chances against Arkansas the second time around. Say what you want about Pearl, he isn’t taking the easy road on this issue.
The Tigers currently hold just a 2% chance to reach the Big Dance, per Kalshi. Take a look at the latest odds:
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
