Close Encounters: Pearl Boasts Best Record in Tight Tilts Among F4 Coaches
April 3rd, 2025 - 11:53
Close could determine who gets to smoke the victory cigar. Ask Arizona fans if close doesn't count after the Wildcats lost five regional finals from 2003 through 2015 by a total of 14 points. Among this year's Final Four coaches, Auburn's Bruce Pearl boasts the best record in close contests this season with a 7-2 mark in games decided by fewer than six points. Following is how Pearl and the other three 2025 Final Four mentors have fared at the major-college level in games decided by fewer than six points:
| 2025 Final Four Coach | Current School | DI Seasons | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Total | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Todd Golden | Florida | 2020-25 | 4-6 | 7-7 | 5-4 | 2-6 | 8-7 | 26-30 | .464 |
| Bruce Pearl | Auburn | 2002-25 | 16-20 | 19-21 | 25-16 | 25-9 | 24-11 | 109-77 | .586 |
| Kelvin Sampson | Houston | 1988-2025 | 21-28 | 24-26 | 19-22 | 32-22 | 29-21 | 125-119 | .512 |
| Jon Scheyer | Duke | 2023-25 | 2-0 | 2-0 | 3-2 | 2-3 | 2-6 | 11-11 | .500 |