Pearl: SEC stronger 'top to bottom' than in previous seasons

"(Kentucky's performance) really speaks to the overall strength of the conference," Pearl said. "The conference, to me, looks stronger top to bottom than any time I have been in this league."

Basketball preps for toughest test at Kentucky

In a season that has seen much inconsistency, the tallest test of Auburn’s basketball season stands in front of them.

Shamsid-Deen shut down, Mason's status uncertain for Georgia

"We will roll our sleeves up every single day and figure out a game plan against the teams we are competing against," Pearl said. "We will keep laying the foundation. I feel bad for our fan base. I really do."

VIDEO: Bruce Pearl delivers new Beat Alabama T-shirts to students

Pearl, Tigers staying course despite potential first losing season

"I have never had a losing season, but I have had more difficult teams in winning seasons than this team," Pearl said. "I am not having fun losing, and I am not going to have fun losing. This is a good team. This has been a good team to coach and they still are. We have to keep competing."

Reed relishes a second opportunity in basketball

Trayvon Reed, 7-foot-2-inch center, was added to the Auburn basketball roster this season after transferring from the University of Maryland. As a four-star recruit, Reed ran into trouble, pleading guilty to second-degree misdemeanor assault.

Limited contributions doom Auburn against Crimson Tide

"That just is an example of our roster and our limitations and our lack of depth and the things that we've struggled with all year long" said head coach Bruce Pearl. "Sometimes it gets exposed and sometimes it doesn't. It's disappointing when it gets exposed against your rival."

VIDEO: Bruce Pearl - Press conference after loss to Alabama