One of the greatest rivalries of this college basketball season has been between former Auburn head coach turned analyst Bruce Pearl and the Miami RedHawks, the only men’s team in Division I to finish the regular season undefeated.

However, during the RedHawks’ unlikely run, Pearl advocated against them in favor of teams with tougher schedules, despite less impressive records.

“Miami (Ohio), here’s the deal,” Pearl said. “Are we selecting the 68 most deserving teams? Or are we going to select the 68 best teams? If we’re selecting the 68 best teams, then Miami (Ohio) is going to have to win their tournament to qualify as a champion.

“Because as an at-large, they are not one of the best teams in the country. And that’s going to be a difficult choice for the committee to make.”

Miami Athletic Director David Sayler even got in the mix, responding to Pearl publicly.

“(You) are flat out wrong about (Miami men’s basketball) when u say we would finish last in the Big East. The disrespect is awful and (you) should not be near a TV studio covering this sport when u show your true colors! Even slipped in a ‘we’ when talking about Auburn, nice work!” Sayler wrote on Twitter.

Face to Face

RedHawks head coach Travis Steele spoke to Pearl directly over a video call on TNT Sports, and Pearl admitted to playing the villain role.

“I kind of feel like you’re Cinderella, & I’m the ugly stepmother… You know I’ve been rooting for ya. I’m proud of ya… It’s just business… It’s not personal. I’m happy for ya,” Pearl told Steele.

Complete 360

Unfortunately for the RedHawks, they were upset on Thursday afternoon in the first round of the MAC Tournament by the UMass Minutemen. Shockingly, Pearl appears to have come all the way around, at least publicly, and is advocating for the RedHawks to make the tournament.

“In spite of the recent propaganda I’ve always been a mid major guy. I think a 1 loss Miami of Ohio team should get in! I don’t think they are one of the best 37 at large teams, but are 1 of the most deserving Good for the MAC, Cinderella and March madness,” he tweeted.

A potential storybook end to this saga could be the Auburn Tigers, now coached by Pearl’s son Steven, playing the RedHawks in Dayton, Ohio, to reach the round of 64.