Steven Pearl comments on Murphy's absence

No respect for him. That’s not how you handle business. Do better Murph.

Turner Walker said:

No respect for him. Thats not how you handle business. Do better Murph.

I agree with you, but Pearl had to say what he said. You can’t win that game as a coach in today’s climate.

Commitment to the program? Why not just leave it at lot of love for what he’s done for us

SP is a much classier dude than me. I would’ve told him to get gout

He just thumbed his nose at Pearl. None of them respect him. It shows

Murph the mercenary

What a jackass. Showed his true colors

Thanks for the Kentucky win, Murph. Good luck in Bulgaria!

Turner Walker said:

No respect for him. That’s not how you handle business. Do better Murph.

Come on bruh it’s the nit

Yall are wild

TATER4AU said:

He just thumbed his nose at Pearl. None of them respect him. It shows

It’s Murph who had lost respect

Jeremy Reding said:

I agree with you, but Pearl had to say what he said. You can’t win that game as a coach in today’s climate.

BUT this season alone: - Pearl didn't allow Pettiford or Murphy to start at some point because of not upholding team standards - Pearl suspended Hall for not upholding team standards I understand what you're saying but you can't quit on your team before the season is officially over. This dude is paid handsomely to play collegiate basketball at Auburn. If he's capable of playing he needs to play. I don't care if it's the NIT or not. To me - Pearl's statements counter what he's preached all season long.

MOtigers said:

Yall are wild

You're the only one wild in this thread. That dude wasn't opting out to prep for the NBA, which I'd completely understand. He was abandoning his team and the fans that showed up to watch him.

TATER4AU said:

He just thumbed his nose at Pearl. None of them respect him. It shows

The rest did show up to play, unlike one of the senior leaders.

MOtigers said:

Come on bruh it’s the nit

It would be different if he let the team know. There’s no way you’re defending a senior just ghosting his coaches and teammates.

Mr. October Kyle Hatcher said:

BUT this season alone: - Pearl didn't allow Pettiford or Murphy to start at some point because of not upholding team standards - Pearl suspended Hall for not upholding team standards I understand what you're saying but you can't quit on your team before the season is officially over. This dude is paid handsomely to play collegiate basketball at Auburn. If he's capable of playing he needs to play. I don't care if it's the NIT or not. To me - Pearl's statements counter what he's preached all season long.

Not to mention, TP became a better player after sitting!

He quit the team he should he should hit the high way. If Steven let him stay then I lost all respect for him and he should find employment somewhere else.

Mr. October Kyle Hatcher said:

BUT this season alone: - Pearl didn't allow Pettiford or Murphy to start at some point because of not upholding team standards - Pearl suspended Hall for not upholding team standards I understand what you're saying but you can't quit on your team before the season is officially over. This dude is paid handsomely to play collegiate basketball at Auburn. If he's capable of playing he needs to play. I don't care if it's the NIT or not. To me - Pearl's statements counter what he's preached all season long.

His actions AND public words are what he has to say. I understand that there seems to be incongruity, but he’s got multiple factors that he’s juggling. The public words that are seen by recruits have to be softened. His actions speak volumes into what he actually believes, imo. I think it’s the perfect balance of public praise and private accountability.

It's easy for us fans to dump on a player (some of the players also help make it even easier) but the coaches do have a personal relationship with these guys so I doubt very much that SP is being disingenuous here.

Jeremy Reding said:

His actions AND public words are what he has to say. I understand that there seems to be incongruity, but he’s got multiple factors that he’s juggling. The public words that are seen by recruits have to be softened. His actions speak volumes into what he actually believes, imo. I think it’s the perfect balance of public praise and private accountability.

Great points.