Anderson glad Pearl back in SEC

FAYETTEVILLE - Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson never got to coach against Bruce Pearl in the SEC.

Pearl was fired at Tennessee on March 21, 2011, two days before Anderson was hired to be the Razorbacks’ coach after five seasons at Missouri.

Anderson will face Pearl, hired earlier this week as Auburn’s coach, next season when the Razorbacks play the Tigers.

“Welcome to the league - back to the league - Bruce,” Anderson said Friday when asked his reaction to Pearl’s hiring at Auburn. “No question, he’s a very good coach, an exciting coach. He’s really intense.”