Auburn awaits Selection Sunday: See where the Tigers are projected
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While Auburn’s opening round victory over Mississippi State kept the Tigers on the bubble, Steven Pearl’s squad had a great chance to secure a spot in the big dance Thursday afternoon.
But Auburn saw it’s 10-point lead turn into a 10-point deficit as the 5th-seeded Tennessee Volunteers advanced to the SEC Tournament quarterfinals.
That loss dropped the Tigers to a 17-16 overall record and they will now be sweating through Sunday to see if their resume is enough to make the NCAA Tournament.
Keep reading to see where the Tigers are currently projected with just over 48 hours until the bracket is revealed.
Auburn’s bracketology projections
No team with more than 15 losses has ever made the NCAA Tournament as an at-large bid but Auburn might have the best case a 16-loss team has ever had.
Auburn is currently No. 39 in the NCAA Net Rankings, holding a 4-13 record against Quad 1 opponents. They are one of just six teams to play at least 17 Quad 1 games so far this season.
Another formula used by the selection committee is Wins Above Bubble (WAB) where Auburn ranks 44th. They are the second lowest ranked team with a positive WAB differential at 0.35.
Still, that may not be enough for the committee to include the Tigers.
“The Tigers gave up a 19-0 run to Tennessee and with it, any realistic chance for an NCAA bid.”
Joe Lunardi, ESPN bracketology
Lunardi currently has Auburn as the second team out, falling behind Oklahoma who is still alive in the SEC Tournament.
Meanwhile, Jerry Palm of CBS Sports has Auburn outside the first four out and without any games remaining, he seems to believe their case is settled.
On3’s James Fletcher III has Auburn as the second team out of the field.
But Pearl is still making his case to the committee.
“We deserve to be in the tournament. Our guys have some of the best wins in college basketball. It’s a team that can wins games in the tournament. I think they’ve done enough ultimately to have their name called on Selection Sunday.”
Steven Pearl
Selection Sunday
Auburn’s 16 losses are the most in a single season since 2016 but they still seemingly have a chance to make their fifth straight NCAA Tournament, which would match a program record.
The Tigers will discover their fate Sunday evening during the Selection Show, which will feature former coach Bruce Pearl on the panel.
Here’s what you need to know:
- What: NCAA Tournament Selection Show
- When: 5PM, Sunday, March 15
- Watch: CBS | Paramount+
Auburn has not yet said whether it will accept an NIT invite if the Tigers do not make the NCAA Tournament.
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