Auburn basketball’s 2025-26 campaign has been a wild ride - one filled with growing pains, flashes of promise, and a whole lot of grit. First-year head coach Steven Pearl was thrust into the spotlight under challenging circumstances, taking over after the unexpected retirement of his father, longtime head coach Bruce Pearl. And if that wasn’t enough, he inherited a roster that had been almost entirely rebuilt following a Final Four run and was handed the most brutal non-conference slate in program history to kick off his tenure.
Fast forward to mid-February, and the Tigers are sitting at 14-10 overall, 5-6 in the SEC - good for 11th in the conference with seven regular-season games left. The record may not jump off the page, but it only tells part of the story. Auburn has been tested early and often, and while the results have been mixed, there’s no shortage of fight in this group.
A Season of Swings
After dropping their first two SEC matchups, the Tigers punched back with a signature home win over then-No. 15 Arkansas - a victory that sparked a four-game winning streak.
That stretch included a dominant performance against Missouri, a gritty win over South Carolina, a solid showing versus Ole Miss, and perhaps the high point of the season: a statement road win at No. 16 Florida.
That was the version of Auburn fans had hoped to see more consistently - tough, energetic, and fearless.
But consistency has been elusive. Since that win in Gainesville, the Tigers have stumbled, dropping three straight, including a frustrating home loss to No.
19 Vanderbilt. These recent setbacks have highlighted the same issues that have plagued Auburn all season: scoring droughts, defensive lapses, and struggles with ball security.
Where It’s Gone Wrong
Let’s start with the numbers. Auburn currently ranks near the bottom of the SEC in several key categories - assist-to-turnover ratio, assists per game, field goal percentage defense, and scoring defense. Those stats paint a pretty clear picture: the Tigers have struggled to move the ball effectively, defend at a high level, and maintain offensive rhythm for full 40-minute stretches.
Sophomore guard Tahaad Pettiford has been emblematic of Auburn’s up-and-down season. After a breakout freshman year, expectations were high, but he’s had a tough time finding his rhythm. Shooting just 37.2% from the field and 26.5% from deep, Pettiford’s shooting woes have made it harder for Auburn to generate consistent offense, especially in tight games where every possession matters.
The Bright Spots
Still, there’s reason for optimism - and it starts with Keyshawn Hall. The senior transfer has been a revelation, averaging 20.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.
That kind of production puts him in elite company across Division I and makes him one of the top scoring-rebounding threats in the SEC. Hall has been Auburn’s offensive engine, drawing fouls, hitting tough shots, and delivering in big moments.
He’s posted multiple double-doubles and has stepped up in games against top-tier competition. When the Tigers need a bucket, Hall is the guy they turn to - and more often than not, he delivers.
And while Steven Pearl’s first year has come with its share of challenges, he’s shown he’s more than just a placeholder for a familiar name. He’s already logged wins over five former Final Four coaches, including a marquee victory over No.
14 St. John’s - making him the fastest Auburn coach to beat a ranked opponent in his debut season.
That’s no small feat, especially with a roster that was essentially rebuilt from the ground up.
The Road Ahead
Now comes the final stretch - and it’s a critical one. Auburn is staring down matchups that could make or break its NCAA Tournament hopes.
Next up is a rematch with No. 21 Arkansas, followed by winnable games against LSU, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and Mississippi State.
There’s no room for error, but there’s also opportunity. Every game from here on out is a chance to build the resume and climb back into the tournament conversation.
Yes, this season has had its bumps, but Auburn hasn’t folded. They’ve battled through adversity, shown flashes of what they could become, and proven they can hang with some of the best teams in the country. If they can tighten up the defense, get steadier guard play, and keep riding the hot hand of Keyshawn Hall, there’s still time to turn this roller coaster into a late-season surge.
March is fast approaching - and the Tigers are still in the fight.