Auburn men’s basketball is back in the Final Four for the second time in program history.

The Tigers will square off against Florida on Saturday at 5:09 p.m. with a spot in the national championship game on the line. Auburn made the Final Four in 2019, but a national championship — or even a national championship game appearance — is a height the program has yet to reach.

Bruce Pearl was interviewed by CBS’ Tracy Wolfson following Auburn’s open practice Friday afternoon, and was asked what it would mean to bring a national championship back to Auburn.

“National championships mean something at Auburn,” Pearl said. “We’ve got a few in football, we’ve got a few in other sports, but we don’t have one in men’s basketball and that’s why we’re here to get one.”

Auburn’s one other Final Four appearance ended in heartbreak, falling to Virginia in the national semifinals after three free throws in the final seconds from the Cavaliers.

Saturday’s game against Florida will be a chance for Auburn to finally right the wrongs of that night and potentially clinch a spot in the national championship game. Auburn and Florida’s national semifinal matchup is set to tip off at 5:09 p.m. from the Alamodome in San Antonio and will be televised on CBS.

Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkus or email him at [email protected]m