Auburn Basketball Searching for Defensive Identity After Tough Loss to Alabama
For the better part of the last month, Auburn basketball had been hanging its hat on defense. That identity looked strong early on against Alabama, but by the end of Saturday’s game at Neville Arena, the Tigers were left searching for answers.
With just over two minutes left in the first half, Auburn was up 36-29. Then came the turning point - an Alabama three-pointer that ignited a scoring avalanche.
Over the next 13 minutes of game time, the Crimson Tide poured in 42 points, flipping the script and taking a 71-65 lead. By the time Aden Holloway scored in the paint with 2:20 to go, Alabama had dropped 60 points in less than 20 minutes of basketball.
Let’s be clear: you’re not beating anyone giving up that kind of output in that short of a span. Not in the SEC. Not anywhere.
What makes the loss even more frustrating for Auburn is that the offense showed up. The Tigers put up 92 points in regulation - and still lost.
That’s the second time this season that’s happened in conference play. Earlier in the year, they dropped a heartbreaker in overtime at Georgia after also scoring 92 in regulation.
When your offense is that productive, you expect to walk away with a win, not a wake-up call.
Even with Keyshawn Hall having an off night, Auburn’s offense was efficient and aggressive. But the defense - which had been such a strength - couldn’t hold up its end of the deal.
Now comes a crucial stretch. Auburn faces two high-scoring teams this week: Vanderbilt at home Tuesday and a trip to Arkansas on Saturday.
If the Tigers are going to come out of this stretch with wins, it’s going to come down to defense. The scoring is there.
The grit on the other end? That’s what needs to show up.
Jackson Koivun: Chasing Greatness, Not Just Glory
At this point, it’s fair to ask - what else does Jackson Koivun have to prove?
He’s already the No. 1 ranked amateur golfer in the world. He’s led Auburn to a national championship.
He’s taken home player of the year honors. And now, he’s back for more - not because he has to be, but because he wants to be.
In an era where athletes are often quick to turn pro the moment opportunity knocks, Koivun made a different call. He already has his PGA Tour card in hand.
He could’ve left. Cashed in.
Started the next chapter. Instead, he returned for his junior season, determined to finish his degree and chase another title with Auburn.
That decision says a lot. Koivun isn’t just chasing trophies - he’s chasing legacy. And over the weekend, he took another big step toward cementing it.
At Auburn’s tournament in Hawaii, Koivun opened with back-to-back rounds of 62 - that’s 10-under each day - breaking a scoring record that once belonged to none other than Tiger Woods during his time at Stanford. That’s not just a hot streak. That’s history.
Koivun’s game is elite, but it’s his humility that makes him easy to root for. He’s not just a star in the making - he’s a program-defining figure. And with a busy spring ahead, Auburn fans should savor every chance they get to watch him tee it up in orange and blue.
Auburn Softball: A Promising Start With Plenty to Clean Up
Opening weekend for Auburn softball was a mixed bag - not a disaster, but not quite a dream start either. The Tigers finished 4-2, bouncing back from a tough opening loss to North Florida with a statement win over No.
9 Clemson. That’s a quality win early in the season, especially for a team still figuring itself out.
Offensively, there’s a lot to like. Auburn scored 42 runs over six games and hit .335 as a team - strong numbers that suggest this lineup can do some damage once SEC play rolls around. That’s especially encouraging considering how many new faces are on the roster.
But while the bats were hot, the gloves and arms had a rougher go. Auburn allowed 41 runs in those same six games, and the defense committed 17 errors - nearly three per game. That’s the kind of stat line that’ll get you beat in this conference, no matter how many runs you score.
It’s not unusual for teams to be a little shaky defensively out of the gate, but Auburn’s going to need to tighten things up quickly if it wants to stay competitive in the SEC. The offense has shown it can carry the load - now the pitching and defense need to hold up their end of the bargain.
The foundation is there. But if this team wants to make some noise, the next step is cleaning up the mistakes and finding consistency on the field. Week two can’t come soon enough.