Auburn's Narrow Escape and the Road Ahead
Auburn fans let out a collective sigh of relief after Elyjah Freeman's crucial tip-in secured a nail-biting one-point victory over Kentucky. The tension inside Neville Arena was palpable, as this win was essential for Auburn's NCAA Tournament aspirations. A sixth consecutive loss, especially at home, could have been a devastating blow to their postseason hopes.
But the journey is far from over. With Selection Sunday still weeks away, Auburn must navigate a challenging path filled with potential pitfalls. It's all about "survive and advance," not just surviving once.
The Tigers face a quick turnaround, moving from a high-stakes Saturday night game to a Tuesday road trip across several states. Freshman forward Sebastian Williams-Adams highlighted the challenge: “You’re trying to recover, but you’re also trying to get the scout in. Your Tuesday opponent is just as important as your Saturday night opponent was.”
Despite Oklahoma's recent struggles, having lost 11 of their last 13 games, this matchup is a critical Quad 1 opportunity for Auburn's tournament resume. Beating Kentucky added +0.40 Wins Above Bubble to their profile, and a victory at Oklahoma could add another +0.55. Currently, Auburn stands at a 72% chance of making the tournament, but a loss could push them back into bubble territory.
Oklahoma, despite its recent record, poses a real threat. Their two wins in this stretch include a surprising road victory at Vanderbilt and a decisive home win against Georgia. The Sooners boast experience and consistency, having started the same five players in every game this season under coach Porter Moser.
Head coach Steven Pearl is well aware of the challenge: “They had a double-digit lead on Texas in the first half, they were beating Vanderbilt by 20, and had 1.5 points per possession against Georgia. This is an incredibly dangerous team. They play well at home, and they have our full attention, for sure.”
Auburn's win over Kentucky was marked by defensive grit, reminiscent of their upset against Florida a month ago. However, lapses in the final minutes allowed Kentucky to claw back from a multi-possession deficit, echoing the issues seen in their loss to Mississippi State.
Yet, Auburn showed a visible hunger, playing with a desperation that might just define their season. “I think we know we’re at our best when we’re playing desperate,” Williams-Adams noted.
“The SEC is not somewhere you can just show up and expect to win. We’ve established that, for the rest of the season, we’re playing desperate.
We’re playing for our Tournament hopes.”
As Auburn moves forward, maintaining that intensity and focus will be key to securing their spot in the NCAA Tournament.