Not only did Auburn earn bragging rights in its win in the first game between SEC teams ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the Associated Press poll, it also showed why it might be too good for the projected NCAA Tournament field to catch.
No. 1 Auburn (23-2, 11-1 in SEC) defeated No. 2 Alabama (21-4, 10-2 in SEC), 94-85, removing any doubt about its place atop college basketball’s 2024-25 hierarchy.
The Tigers won thanks to a stout first-half defensive effort, which limited the Tide to 33 points before halftime.
While Alabama managed 52 points in the second half, Auburn’s perimeter defense held firm, holding the Tide to a season-low 19.2 percent from three-point range (5-of-26). Alabama shot 38.6 percent overall, its worst since a 36.7 percent effort against Houston on Nov. 26.
Per KenPom, the Tigers entered first in SEC conference games in opponent three-point percentage (28.8 percent), while Alabama was second in three-point success rate (38.4 percent).
Auburn won the battle of strength versus strength. With a 14th Quad 1 win on its resume, it’s increasingly harder to envision another team overpowering the Tigers in March and early April.
The Tigers have a multitude of scoring threats in addition to their staunch defense. Six Auburn players scored double figures against Alabama, including three off the bench.
Starting forward Johni Broome added to his Player of the Year candidacy with another double-double, his 15th of the season. He finished with 19 points and 14 rebounds while adding a team-high six assists, two blocks and a steal.
Auburn has been on a mission this season after a humbling first-round loss to Yale as the four-seed in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. The Tigers haven’t advanced past the first weekend of March Madness since reaching the first Final Four in program history in 2019.
That should change this year. Auburn is the clear best team in the country, and it’s proven so all season. Now, it just needs to stick to the landing.
