Auburn’s Bruce Pearl Suddenly For Chad Baker-Mazara After Costly Ejection Achi-News

AUBURN, Ala.: Auburn coach Bruce Pearl is still unhappy with a call that led to Chad Baker-Mazara’s costly ejection in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, but he’s urging fans to sack his starting guard.

Baker-Mazara threw an elbow at Yale’s August Mahoney as the pair ran down court just three minutes into Yale’s 78-76 loss. Baker-Mazara was called for a Flagrant 2 foul when Pearl says he believes it could easily have been a Flagrant 1 that would not have involved ejaculation.

“What a very difficult way to learn from that mistake,” Pearl said Thursday, rehashing the scenario six days later. “At the same time, I’d like to remind our fans and anyone listening that Chad was responsible for that mistake. And he has apologized for that mistake. And he has taken responsibility for it, even though the consequences are truly significant. And it feels really bad. He’s struggling with that at the moment.”

Before getting blown out by the No. 13 Ivy League tournament champions, Auburn was hot. He had won the Southeastern Conference tournament and was made the No. 4 seed before it came to an abrupt end.

Pearl is not happy with fans giving Baker-Mazara grief on social media.

“I’m going to say to the Auburn family, while I know you’re disappointed, if someone messed with your son, you’d stand up a little bit for your son, wouldn’t you ?” Pearl said. “Stop playing with my son. Stop it. He apologized. He made a mistake. And I’m calling you out. I don’t get it. For those on social media who want to continue, unfollow those people. Stop it.”

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AP March Madness Bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – Associated Press)