Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl, who previously coached the Tennessee Volunteers from 2005 to 2011, recently shared a moment that UT basketball fans will likely appreciate.
During an appearance on SiriusXM College Sports Radio this week, Pearl admitted that he found himself singing *”Rocky Top, Tennessee’s fight song, after the Volunteers secured a dramatic victory over Alabama. This win not only thrilled Tennessee fans but also had a direct impact on Auburn, as it clinched the outright SEC regular-season title for the Tigers.
“It was a good day,” Pearl remarked. “I want to just share this—I was singing *Rocky Top*. I said, ‘It’s great to be a Tennessee Vol.’ I actually called Coach [Rick] Barnes, and he answered the phone. We had a sweet moment. I’m a big fan.”
Pearl also recounted how he and his team experienced the final moments of Tennessee’s thrilling win over Alabama. Auburn had just defeated Kentucky at Rupp Arena and was boarding a plane back home. While the team was in transit, players were closely following the Tennessee-Alabama game on their phones.
“When we got off the plane, there were about four minutes left in the game,” Pearl explained. “The players were getting on the bus, and the coaches were heading to their cars. Then suddenly, Jahmai Mashack hit that buzzer-beater, and it was a surreal moment. Everything you work for all year—the training, the challenges—it all comes together in one shining moment.”
Auburn’s official Twitter/X.com account even posted a video of the Tigers’ players celebrating by singing Rocky Top after Tennessee’s win, further solidifying the shared excitement between the two programs.
With both Auburn and Tennessee among the top teams in the nation, there’s a strong possibility that they could meet again on the court later in the season, potentially setting up an exciting showdown in the SEC Tournament or beyond.
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