Helena Frye
The Auburn Tigers have had their fair share of wins and losses over the years. In 2019, they won the SEC Tournament, crushing Tennessee in the final game 84–64. They also won the SEC regular-season championship in the 2021–22 season and the SEC Tournament again in 2024. However, they have faced some defeats, including a loss to Alabama in March 2025, where Alabama stole the game with a last-second shot, winning 93-91 in overtime.
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What You'll Learn
Auburn Tigers men's basketball team has a strong history of winning seasons
The Auburn Tigers men's basketball team has a rich history of success, with numerous winning seasons and championship titles to its name. Representing Auburn University in the Southeastern Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the Tigers have established themselves as a formidable force on the court.
The Tigers' winning tradition can be traced back to their inaugural season in 1928, where they clinched their first-ever Southern Conference championship title. This early triumph set the tone for the program's future success, demonstrating the team's ability to compete and emerge victorious. Over the years, Auburn Tigers men's basketball has gone on to accumulate an impressive collection of conference and tournament championships.
One of the defining characteristics of the Auburn Tigers' basketball program is its consistency in producing winning seasons. This is best exemplified by their performance in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The Tigers have secured the SEC regular season title on multiple occasions, with their most recent triumph in the 2024-25 season, adding to their previous victories in 1960, 1999, 2018, and 2022. This consistent excellence showcases the program's sustained success and dominance within their conference.
In addition to their regular-season achievements, the Auburn Tigers have also experienced remarkable success in tournament play. The Tigers have won the SEC Tournament three times, with their first victory coming in 1985 under coach Sonny Smith. This win was particularly memorable as the team became the first in SEC history to win four games in four days to claim the tournament championship. The Tigers added to their tournament triumphs with consecutive wins in 2019 and 2024 under the leadership of head coach Bruce Pearl.
The Auburn Tigers men's basketball team's success has been built on a foundation of strong coaching and talented players. Coaches like Sonny Smith, Cliff Ellis, and Bruce Pearl have guided the team to remarkable achievements, with Pearl becoming the winningest coach in Auburn basketball history in 2025. The program has also produced a significant number of NBA draft picks, including 10 first-round selections. The combination of skilled coaching and exceptional players has been a key factor in the team's winning seasons and championship runs.
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The Auburn-Alabama basketball rivalry dates back to 1924
The Auburn-Alabama basketball rivalry, sometimes referred to as the "Iron Bowl of Basketball", dates back to 1924. The first basketball game between the two schools was a chance occurrence in the Southern Conference Tournament on March 1, 1924, with Alabama winning 40-19. The rivalry resumed in 1941, again by coincidence in another conference tournament, and the teams have played regularly since 1948, meeting at least twice every season from 1949 onwards. Auburn's first win in the rivalry came in their sixth meeting on December 20, 1949, when they beat Alabama 45-40.
The rivalry has been characterised by intense competition, with both schools considered among the nation's elite teams for most of the time since the 1950s. They have also been fixtures on national television since the late 1970s. The teams have played each other 172 times as of 2025, with Alabama leading the series in Tuscaloosa (51-12) and Auburn leading in Auburn (35-29). In games played at neutral sites, the Tigers lead 22-20, and they also lead in games played during the SEC Tournament Championship (1-0).
The rivalry has produced several memorable games. On January 5, 1983, Auburn, led by Charles Barkley, upset Alabama 91-80. In 1985, Auburn became the first team in SEC history to win four tournament games in four days, defeating Alabama 53-49 in overtime in the SEC Tournament Championship Game. On January 18, 1998, Auburn handed Alabama their worst loss in school history, thrashing them 94-40. Auburn also went on a 19-game win streak during the 2021-22 season, including an 18-game winning streak. On February 15, 2025, #1 Auburn travelled to #2 Alabama in the first meeting between the top two teams in the AP poll in SEC history, with Auburn winning 94-85.
The Auburn Tigers have enjoyed recent success, winning the SEC regular-season title in 2022 and 2025, and reaching the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 2019. They have produced 35 NBA draft picks, including 10 first-round selections, and have won six regular-season conference championships in their history.
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Auburn has produced 35 NBA draft picks
The Auburn Tigers men's basketball team has a rich history, with the program beginning in 1906. The team has had notable success in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), winning six regular-season conference championships and three SEC tournament championships. Auburn has also appeared in the NCAA tournament 14 times, making it as far as the Final Four in 2019.
The Auburn Tigers have produced 35 NBA draft picks, including 10 first-round selections. The most players selected from Auburn in a single draft was three in the 1988 draft. Jabari Smith, selected third overall in the 2022 draft, holds the record for the highest draft pick from Auburn. In addition to its 30 NBA draft picks, Auburn has also produced several undrafted free agents who went on to have successful NBA careers.
Auburn's success in producing NBA talent extends beyond its draft picks. The team has had four SEC Tournament MVPs: Charles Barkley in 1984, Chuck Person in 1985, Bryce Brown in 2019, and Johni Broome in 2024. Auburn's first win in the rivalry came in their sixth meeting on December 20, 1949, when they beat Alabama 45-40.
The Auburn Tigers men's basketball team has a proud history, with a strong record in the SEC and a growing list of NBA draft picks. The team's success has been built on a foundation of talented players and dedicated coaching, with Bruce Pearl leading the team to recent success, including three SEC regular-season championships and two SEC tournament championships.
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Bruce Pearl is Auburn's most successful basketball coach
Bruce Alan Pearl, born on March 18, 1960, is the current head coach of the Auburn Tigers men's basketball team. Pearl became Auburn's 20th head basketball coach on March 18, 2014, and is currently in his 11th season with the team.
Pearl has had a successful career as a basketball coach, with a winning record at Auburn of 227-123 (.649) as of January 2025. He has led Auburn to three SEC regular-season championships (2017-18, 2021-22, and 2024-25) and three SEC tournament championships (2019, 2024, and 2025). In 2019, Pearl guided Auburn to its first-ever Final Four in the NCAA tournament, making them the second team in NCAA history to defeat the three winningest programs (Kansas, North Carolina, and Kentucky) in the same season. Pearl has also been named SEC Coach of the Year twice (2022 and 2025).
Prior to his time at Auburn, Pearl had coaching stints at Southern Indiana, Milwaukee, and Tennessee. He led Southern Indiana to a Division II national championship in 1995 and was named Division II Coach of the Year. Overall, Pearl has guided his teams to the NCAA Tournament 22 times and has a winning record of 662-264 (.715). He is the only head coach in SEC history to lead two programs to a No. 1 national ranking (Auburn in 2022 and Tennessee in 2008).
In addition to his coaching accomplishments, Pearl has also raised 1.37 million dollars for AUTLIVE, Auburn Basketball's fight against cancer, since 2016. He has received several awards for his contributions, including the "Spirit of Auburn" Award in 2015 and the "Knoxville Award" in 2010.
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Auburn's first on-campus basketball facility opened in 1916
The Auburn Tigers men's basketball team has a long and storied history, with the program starting in 1906 under the leadership of head coach Mike "Iron Mike" Donahue. For the first decade of the team's existence, from 1906 to 1916, they played in a venue known simply as "The Gymnasium". This changed in February 1916, when Auburn's first on-campus basketball facility, Alumni Gymnasium, opened its doors. This new arena, also known as Alumni Arena, provided a larger and more purpose-built space for the team's home games.
From its opening in 1916 until 1947, Alumni Gymnasium served as the home court for the Auburn Tigers, hosting many memorable basketball games over the years. During this time, the team established itself as a competitive force in collegiate basketball, with Donahue's 16-year tenure as head coach laying the foundation for future success. However, in 1947, the team moved to a new venue, signalling the end of Alumni Gymnasium's era as the team's home court.
The next chapter in the Auburn Tigers' basketball journey began in 1946, two years before the official move, when they started using the Auburn Sports Arena, affectionately nicknamed "The Barn". This venue served as the team's home base from 1947 to 1969, creating lasting memories for the students and fans who packed its stands. "The Barn" played a significant role in the team's history, hosting their games during a period of growth and development for the program.
In 1969, the Auburn Tigers men's basketball team moved yet again, this time to the Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum, which housed their games until 2010. After nearly four decades of playing in the Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum, the team transitioned to their current home arena, Neville Arena (formerly known as Auburn Arena). The new arena, located on the west side of the Auburn campus, was built at a cost of \$86 million and offers a range of modern amenities and facilities for the team and fans alike. The Auburn men's and women's basketball teams played their first competitive games in Neville Arena on November 12, 2010, with the women's team emerging victorious against Mercer 79-61, and the men's team falling short in a close overtime loss to UNC Asheville 70-69.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Auburn won the 1985 SEC Tournament, beating Alabama 53-49 in overtime.
Auburn has had four SEC Tournament MVPs: Charles Barkley in 1984, Chuck Person in 1985, Bryce Brown in 2019, and Johni Broome in 2024.
Auburn has appeared in 14 NCAA tournaments.
Auburn has won six regular-season conference championships: one Southern Conference championship in 1928 and five Southeastern Conference championships in 1960, 1999, 2018, 2022, and 2025.
