Almost every time the camera cut to Pearl, he was screaming at his players or the referees with a comical facial expression.
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New Mexico State had possession in the final seconds down by two points, and Terrell Brown was fouled attempting a 3-pointer to give the Aggies the chance to win. But Brown missed two of his three tries at the line, and after Auburn knocked the rebound out of bounds, teammate Trevelin Queen missed a desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer.
That meant Pearl could keep his head attached to the rest of his body — an outcome in doubt for much of the second half.
For anyone who has watched the veteran coach over the years, the over-the-top level of intensity is nothing new.
But Auburn fans likely would have preferred an easier road to a first-round victory than the path that left Pearl incensed.
