For someone going through growing pains as a first-year head coach at Auburn, Steven Pearl has built quite the resume with big victories over Hall of Fame coaches.

After besting Oregon’s Dana Altman, St. John’s Rick Pitino and Arkansas’ John Calipari, Saturday’s upset over the Razorbacks might be Pearl’s biggest win so far.

“It’s a great win for him. He’s followed his dad, who did a heck of a job here. Trying to get it going, this was a big-time win for him, I said, ‘I hope they stink tonight, but I want him to do well,” Calipari said postgame. “Because I’ve got a son coaching, too.’ I want him to do well, just not against us. He must have listened to me and said, ‘Hey, why don’t we do it against you?”

After Auburn fell out of the AP top 25 following its loss to Purdue, many folks worried if this group could contend with the elite teams in the country.

Starting 0-2 in SEC play didn’t help Auburn’s case with losses to Georgia and Texas A&M. However, a 22-point victory over the No. 15 Razorbacks not only provides a spark for Auburn, but quiets those who doubted Pearl.

“It’s great, man. I’m happy for him. He’s one of the most positive coaches in the country. I know it’s his first year, but he’s got a lot of potential, man. He’s doing great,” Keyshawn Hall said about Pearl. “If you look, his two biggest wins right now are against two Hall of Famers: Pitino and Calipari. He’s going to keep working, and he’s not going to let it get to him. He’s not going to get too high or too low.”

Auburn improved to 10-6 overall and 1-2 in SEC play after Saturday’s 95-73 victory over Arkansas. Pearl emphasized how that was a must-win game for his group.

“I mean, we had to get that win. It didn’t matter who it was against,” Pearl said. “We had to win that one, because you can’t dig yourself into a 0-3 hole in this conference and expect to have any real success. So, really important win. And, obviously, against a top 15 opponent and a really good Arkansas team.”

The Tigers will face Missouri and South Carolina in its next two SEC games in hopes of reaching a .500 record against conference opponents.