One of this weekend’s most captivating showdowns is set to unfold in San Antonio, as the Auburn Tigers and Florida Gators square off in the men’s NCAA Tournament Final Four. While both programs are SEC powerhouses with stacked rosters, a compelling subplot to the matchup lies in the personal connection between Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl and Florida head coach Todd Golden. Their relationship spans years — Pearl once coached Golden in the Israeli Pro League and later brought him on as Director of Basketball Operations when he took the reins at Auburn in 2014.
Pearl continued to mentor Golden as he climbed the coaching ranks, even helping him gain traction at San Francisco, a move that ultimately paved the way for Golden’s hiring at Florida in 2022. Now, with a spot in the national championship at stake, the two will compete on college basketball’s biggest stage — mentor vs. protégé.
Ahead of the high-stakes game, Pearl shared heartfelt words about Golden’s growth and coaching acumen. Reflecting on their journey, Pearl praised his former player, saying, “Todd was a great point guard, a great scoring point guard. And I’ve always said — don’t be fooled. He’s a good-looking kid, but he’s tough. His teams play hard, they play physical. So don’t let that sheepish look fool you — he’s the real deal.”
As these two familiar faces meet on opposite sidelines, the showdown promises not only a clash of elite programs, but also a battle rooted in mutual respect and deep basketball ties.
Earlier this season, Florida and Auburn clashed in a high-scoring battle that saw the Gators come out on top with a 90-81 victory on Auburn’s home floor. That result set the tone for what became a season-long SEC power struggle between the two programs. Auburn went on to claim the SEC regular-season crown, while Florida surged late to win the conference tournament and punch their ticket to the Big Dance with an automatic NCAA Tournament bid.
Now, these two conference heavyweights meet again with much more on the line — a trip to the national championship game. As the last two SEC teams standing, their Final Four showdown not only represents conference pride, but also a chance at redemption and ultimate glory.
Saturday’s matchup will determine who earns the right to face either Duke or Houston in Monday night’s national title game. It’s a fitting finale for two teams that have been on a collision course all season long, each looking to complete their journey with a championship.