The Auburn Tigers are keeping their March Madness hopes alive after a thrilling 75-74 victory over the Kentucky Wildcats at Neville Arena. With a record of 15-12, Auburn is teetering on the edge of the tournament bubble, and with Selection Sunday just three weeks away, every game counts.
Auburn's assistant coach, Steven Pearl, notched the biggest conference win of his career, but the road ahead remains challenging. Auburn needs to secure victories against the Oklahoma Sooners, Ole Miss Rebels, and LSU Tigers to solidify their spot in the tournament, regardless of their performance in the SEC Tournament.
As On3's Justin Hokanson pointed out, "As significant as this win was, Auburn needs to take care of business over the next three and make it four straight. If it does, there will be zero concerns when Selection Sunday arrives."
This sentiment followed Elyjah Freeman's clutch game-winning putback with just 1.2 seconds left on the clock.
The Tigers' upcoming games are against teams at the bottom of the SEC standings, providing a crucial opportunity to build momentum. However, the real test will come at Coleman Coliseum against the formidable Alabama Crimson Tide, currently the SEC's No. 2 team. Auburn might just catch fire at the right time and pull off an upset.
It's March, a time when logic often takes a backseat in college basketball. Auburn could very well become this season's Cinderella story from a Power Conference. The NCAA loves a good underdog narrative, especially from a major conference, and Auburn fits the bill perfectly.
The Tigers' journey is not without its challenges. With Bruce Pearl stepping back and focusing on politics, including a potential run for office, Steven Pearl has become the team's emotional core.
The team’s success hinges on standout performances from players like Tahaad Pettiford, Keyshawn Hall, Kevin Overton, and KeyShawn Murphy. While depth may not be Auburn's strong suit, their top players have the talent to carry them forward.
Despite being written off just days ago, there's still hope for this Auburn team. With Steven Pearl at the helm, they might just defy the odds and make a memorable run in March Madness.