Auburn Basketball Hits a Rough Patch, but NCAA Hopes Still Intact
After riding the high of a four-game win streak, Auburn basketball is suddenly staring down the possibility of a three-game slide. The Tigers, who had a week off following their Jan. 31 loss to Tennessee, returned to action with a rivalry clash against Alabama-and while the offense showed up, the defense couldn’t keep pace. The result: a 96-92 loss at Neville Arena and a drop to .500 in SEC play.
Let’s break down where things stand for Auburn as we head into the back half of February-and what it means for their NCAA Tournament outlook.
Defense Falters in High-Scoring Iron Bowl
Auburn’s 92 points against Alabama would win most games. The Tigers shot the ball well, moved it effectively, and kept pace with one of the most potent offenses in the country.
But the Crimson Tide’s elite shooting proved to be the difference. Auburn simply couldn’t get enough stops down the stretch, and in a game that turned into a track meet, it was Alabama that crossed the finish line first.
This wasn’t a case of Auburn playing poorly across the board. Far from it.
The offense was humming-something reflected in their advanced metrics. But when you're facing one of the top shooting teams in the nation, even a few defensive lapses can be the difference between a statement win and a frustrating loss.
Where Auburn Stands in the Metrics
Despite back-to-back losses, Auburn’s overall profile remains strong-and that’s important when it comes to NCAA Tournament seeding. As of Tuesday, the Tigers held a +21.83 Net Rating, good for No. 30 in the country. That’s the kind of efficiency differential that keeps you firmly in the tournament conversation.
Offensively, Auburn ranks 13th in the nation in efficiency at 125.0, a testament to how explosive this team can be when it’s clicking. Defensively, however, there’s work to be done. Their 103.1 defensive efficiency puts them at No. 69, a number that’s been trending in the wrong direction during this skid.
Other key rankings:
- BPI: No.
22
- EvanMiya: No.
32
- T-Rank: No.
30
These are still very respectable numbers. Auburn’s résumé has taken a hit, but it hasn’t fallen apart. The Tigers are still in the thick of the projected tournament field, though they did slide a seed line in the most recent bracketology projections.
What’s Next for the Tigers?
Auburn needs to stop the bleeding-fast. A third straight loss would not only hurt their seeding but could also shake the confidence of a team that, just a couple weeks ago, looked like one of the most balanced squads in the SEC.
The good news? The offense is there.
The ball movement, the shot-making, the pace-it’s all working. If Auburn can tighten up the defense and get back to the kind of gritty, physical play that defined their earlier wins, they’ll be back in the win column soon.
The calendar may be creeping toward March, but there’s still time to course-correct. For now, Auburn fans should be encouraged that the metrics still favor this team-and that the Tigers, despite a tough week, remain very much in the NCAA Tournament picture.