Steven Pearl on Charles Bediako: All Nate Oats is trying to do is win basketball games
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Ahead of his first Iron Bowl of Basketball as Auburn‘s head coach, Steven Pearl was diplomatic when asked about Charles Bediako, one of the game’s leading storylines.
Pearl visited the Greater Birmingham Tipoff Club on Monday. When asked about Bediako, he declined to send any barbs toward Tuscaloosa and Alabama coach Nate Oats.
“All Nate is trying to do is win basketball games, that’s what we’re all trying to do. I can’t say whether that’s right or wrong, that’s not my place… He’s trying to put his team in the best position to win games, and I get that.”
Auburn head coach Steven Pearl spoke on Alabama’s Charles Bediako at the Greater Birmingham Tip Off Club.
— Auburn Tigers | AL.com (@aldotcomTigers) February 2, 2026
The Alabama basketball center will have his eligibility on the line in NCAA lawsuit hearing Friday before the Tigers and Crimson Tide tip off on Saturday. #wareagle pic.twitter.com/JRKOuQM4KJ
Last month, Pearl warned of a slippery slope with instances of players like Bediako being granted NCAA eligibility. His father, Bruce Pearl, endorsed the idea of considering banning Alabama from the NCAA Tournament because of Bediako. The temporary restraining order, however, states that Bediako, Alabama and Crimson Tide coaches cannot be punished for his participation in games.
Alabama is 1-2 in the 3 games since Bediako rejoined the team. The Crimson Tide face Texas A&M, the leader in the SEC standings, in midweek action before Saturday’s showdown with Auburn. The Tigers saw a recent winning streak snapped with Saturday’s loss to Tennessee.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
