Ray Harper addresses relationship, rivalry with Bruce Pearl ahead of Auburn vs. Jacksonville State

As the NCAA Tournament begins, one intriguing matchup combines in-state rivalry and a connection between coaches which stretches back to the 1990s. As 2-seed Auburn prepares to face 15-seed Jacksonville State, Bruce Pearl also prepares to reunite with Ray Harper, an old foe from the Division II level.

From 1992-2001, Bruce Pearl coached Southern Indiana through a fierce rivalry with Ray Harper’s Kentucky Wesleyan. The former Division II coaches now meet up more than 20 years later in the Division I NCAA Tournament.

Harper discussed what he remembers most from the old rivalry days with Pearl, offering insight to how big the game became.

“I was younger than him, so that’s why I got the best of him,” Harper joked. “We really created something of interest to those communities. Our schools were separated by about 40 miles. You couldn’t get a ticket. Their game at their place, you couldn’t get a ticket. At our place, and when the conference tournament would roll around and seated 10,000, you couldn’t get a ticket to that game.

“I thought it was great for both universities. I will say this. We were two really competitive guys, but I had the utmost respect for what he was doing and what he did. For those 40 minutes, I was going to try like crazy to kick his tail, and he was going to do the same to us. When it was over, I don’t know that I respected anyone any more in that league than I did Bruce Pearl.”

Ray Harper on Bruce Pearl

As the two moved on to other opportunities and eventually made a name for themselves at the Division I level, they also moved further apart than the 40 miles of the 1990s. However, Ray Harper says he looks forward to seeing his old foe again.

“I can’t wait to see Bruce,” said Harper. “I haven’t seen Bruce in a while. I got to see him on television. Now I get to see him up close and personal like in the old days. Then we get to see his lovely team. That will be a lot of fun.

“But I know our guys are looking forward to it. Again, it’s going to come down to execution on our part to have a chance. We’re going to have to play smart. I don’t think we necessarily have to play perfect, but we will have to play really well tomorrow afternoon.”