Breaking: Auburn Tigers Prove Why They’re NO. 1! Bruce Pearl’s Gritty Win Over Georgia Sends a Message to the SEC — ‘It MATTERS to Us!’ (FULL RECAP INSIDE)

**Auburn’s Rivalry with Georgia: Why Beating the Bulldogs ‘Matters’ to Bruce Pearl and the Tigers**

For the **Auburn Tigers**, the rivalry with **Georgia** runs deep—even if it doesn’t carry the same intensity as the **Iron Bowl** showdown with Alabama. Located just 30 miles from the Alabama-Georgia state line, Auburn has a significant connection to the Peach State, with many students and alumni hailing from Georgia. This proximity has fueled a fierce rivalry, especially in basketball, where Auburn has dominated recently, winning **13 of the last 16 matchups**.

On Saturday, the No. 1-ranked Tigers secured an **82-70 victory** over Georgia, a hard-fought win that underscored the importance of this rivalry to Auburn head coach **Bruce Pearl**.

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### **Pearl’s Perspective: Why Georgia Matters**
Despite Georgia’s struggles this season (4-10 in the SEC), Pearl emphasized the significance of beating the Bulldogs:
> ***“Beating Georgia matters to Auburn. It matters to me,”*** Pearl said postgame. ***“I believe that’s 13 out of the last 16, and that’s a pretty good stretch against one of your rivals.”***

Pearl, who previously coached at **Tennessee**—another Georgia rival—has a long history of competitive matchups with the Bulldogs. While he respects Georgia and head coach **Mike White**, he knows the importance of securing wins against familiar foes.

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### **A Hard-Fought Battle**
The game was closer than the final score suggested. Auburn led just **29-24 at halftime**, and Georgia stayed within striking distance until the final minutes, trailing by only five points with under two minutes left.

Pearl praised Georgia’s game plan, particularly their use of a **3-2 zone defense** that caught Auburn off guard:
> ***“I told Coach White I thought that was a great call. We managed to find a few things we could do, and that was good.”***

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### **What’s Next for Auburn?**
The win over Georgia is another step toward securing a **No. 1 seed** in the NCAA tournament. While bigger games loom on the horizon, Pearl knows that beating Georgia always carries extra weight for the Auburn faithful.

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**Final Thought**: For Auburn, the rivalry with Georgia is more than just another game—it’s a chance to assert dominance, honor tradition, and keep the Tigers’ momentum rolling as they chase a national championship.

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**Why This Works**: Highlights the rivalry’s significance, Pearl’s personal connection, and the game’s intensity, appealing to Auburn fans and college basketball enthusiasts.