Auburn's Tournament Hopes: A Closer Look at the Tigers' Path
Auburn's thrilling last-second victory against Kentucky might just be the boost they needed to stay on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble. As of now, the Tigers find themselves on the 9-seed line in the latest March Madness projections, appearing in nearly all of BracketMatrix's 112 predictions. However, this recent win doesn't entirely secure their spot in the tournament.
The Tigers faced a challenging stretch, having lost five consecutive games before their victory over Kentucky. This slump saw them drop out of some projections, with ESPN's Joe Lunardi listing them as one of the last four byes, indicating Auburn is precariously positioned on the edge of the at-large field.
Let's dive into Auburn's recent performances and evaluate their NCAA Tournament résumé as they enter the crucial final phase of the regular season.
Recent Results: How Auburn Has Fared
- Mississippi State 91, Auburn 85 (Feb. 18 at Humphrey Coliseum): Despite a strong showing from Keyshawn Hall, who notched a double-double, and a 20-point effort from Tahaad Pettiford, Auburn couldn't overcome the offensive explosion from SEC-leading scorer Josh Hubbard, who dropped an impressive 46 points.
- Auburn 75, Kentucky 74 (Feb. 21 at Neville Arena): The Tigers managed to contain one of the SEC's top 3-point offenses and found a clutch basket in the final seconds to secure a dramatic victory, proving that sometimes the law of averages does swing your way.
Auburn's Rankings and Metrics
Entering Tuesday, Feb. 24, here's where Auburn stands in various rankings:
- NET Ranking: +20.25 (No. 34)
- Offensive Efficiency: 126.0 (No. 11)
- Defensive Efficiency: 105.8 (No. 100)
- BPI: No. 26
- EvanMiya: No. 37
- T-Rank: No. 37
Bracketology and What's Next for Auburn
With Auburn teetering on the edge of the tournament field, every game moving forward carries significant weight. The Tigers will need to build on their recent success and maintain momentum to solidify their position in March Madness.
As the season progresses, Auburn's performance in the remaining games will be crucial. Fans will be eagerly watching to see if the Tigers can continue their push and secure a spot in the tournament.