Helena Frye
The Auburn Tigers men's basketball team has a rich history in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team has won the SEC Tournament three times, in 1985, 2019, and 2024, and has also secured six regular-season conference championships, including four SEC titles in 1960, 1999, 2018, and 2022. Auburn's success in the SEC has been further highlighted by their appearances in the NCAA Tournament, with 14 appearances and two Final Four finishes in 2019 and 2025. The Tigers' performance in the SEC has established them as a competitive force in collegiate basketball, with their achievements celebrated by their dedicated fans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of SEC regular season championships | 6 |
| Number of SEC tournament championships | 3 |
| First SEC championship | 1960 |
| Number of times Auburn has reached the Final Four | 2 |
| Number of Auburn players named SEC Player of the Year | 3 |
| Number of Auburn players named All-Americans | 14 |
| Number of All-SEC selections | 102 |
| Number of Auburn players picked in the NBA draft | 35 |
| Highest NBA draft pick | 3rd overall (Jabari Smith, 2022) |
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What You'll Learn
Auburn Tigers men's basketball history
The Auburn Tigers men's basketball team began in 1906, with Mike "Iron Mike" Donahue as head coach. Donahue was the first of many coaches, with Bruce Pearl taking the helm in 2014 as Auburn's 20th head coach.
The Tigers play their home games at Neville Arena in Auburn, Alabama, and compete in the Southeastern Conference in Division I of the NCAA. Auburn has a long-standing rivalry with Alabama, dating back to their first meeting in 1924, where Auburn lost 19-40. The rivalry continued, with the two teams meeting regularly since 1948, and Alabama leading the series 103-69.
Auburn has enjoyed success in both the regular season and tournament championships. They have won six conference regular season championships, with their first in 1928, and most recent in 2025. Auburn has also claimed three SEC tournament championships, with wins in 1985, 2019, and 2024. The Tigers made it to the Final Four in the 2019 and 2025 NCAA tournaments, but have yet to win a championship.
Auburn has produced many notable players, including 35 NBA draft picks, with 10 first-round selections. Some of the standouts include Charles Barkley, named SEC Player of the Year in 1984, and Jabari Smith, selected third overall in the 2022 NBA draft, the highest pick in Auburn history. The program has also boasted 14 All-Americans and 102 All-SEC selections.
The Tigers have had their fair share of accomplished coaches as well. Joel Eaves, who coached from 1949 to 1963, led Auburn to its first SEC championship in 1960. Sonny Smith, who coached from 1978 to 1989, took Auburn to the NCAA tournament five years in a row, including a run to the Elite Eight in 1986. Bruce Pearl, the current coach, has had a stellar record, leading Auburn to multiple SEC regular season and tournament championships, and becoming the winningest coach in Auburn basketball history.
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Auburn's first SEC championship
Auburn University's men's basketball team, the Auburn Tigers, has a rich history in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team first won an SEC championship in 1960 under head coach Joel Eaves, who was a former Auburn basketball and football player himself. Eaves led the Tigers to a successful season, finishing 12-2 in the conference and 19-3 overall. This victory earned Auburn its first-ever SEC championship title and secured Eaves' legacy as an exceptional coach.
Since that inaugural SEC championship, Auburn has continued to excel in men's basketball, establishing itself as a formidable competitor within the conference. The Tigers have gone on to win several more SEC championships, showcasing their consistent performance and dominance in the sport. The team's success has been driven by talented players and dedicated coaches, solidifying their place in the competitive landscape of college basketball.
In addition to their conference championships, the Auburn Tigers have also achieved notable accomplishments in individual games and tournaments. One such achievement was their victory over Alabama in the 1985 SEC Tournament championship game, where they claimed a 53-49 overtime win. This game holds particular significance as it marked Auburn's first victory over Alabama in the SEC Tournament, adding another layer to their long-standing rivalry.
The Auburn Tigers men's basketball team has consistently proven their prowess on the court, with their first SEC championship in 1960 setting the tone for future successes. The team's performance has been characterised by determination, skill, and a strong competitive spirit. The Tigers' achievements have not only brought pride to their university but have also contributed to the rich history and excitement of college basketball in the United States.
The Tigers have continued to build on their early success, with recent victories further cementing their status as an SEC powerhouse. In 2024, under the leadership of head coach Bruce Pearl, the Auburn Tigers raced past Florida to claim their third SEC Tournament championship. This victory showcased the team's resilience and determination, as they soared to an 86-67 win at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena. Pearl's strategic guidance played a pivotal role in this triumph, earning him recognition as a master tactician.
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Auburn's SEC tournament wins
Auburn Tigers men's basketball team has won the SEC tournament championship three times. The first win came in 1985 under coach Sonny Smith, and the second and third wins were in 2019 and 2024 under Bruce Pearl.
In 1985, Auburn beat Alabama 53-49 in overtime to win the tournament. This was the first time a team had won four games in four days to take the SEC Tournament. In 2019, the Tigers earned a bye in the Tournament during the regular season and won games against Missouri, South Carolina, and Florida before crushing Tennessee in the final game 84-64. In 2024, Auburn defeated South Carolina, Mississippi State, and Florida en route to their second tournament title under Bruce Pearl. This victory made Pearl the only coach to lead Auburn to multiple SEC tournament titles.
Auburn has also won six regular-season conference championships in its history: one Southern Conference championship in 1928 and five Southeastern Conference championships in 1960, 1999, 2018, 2022, and 2025. The 1960 championship was Auburn's first SEC championship, and it finished the season with a 12-2 conference record and a 19-3 overall record. In 2025, Auburn secured a share of the regular-season SEC championship with a 16-point win over No. 17 Kentucky. This was the fifth regular-season SEC Championship for Auburn and the fourth for coach Bruce Pearl, who also won two at Auburn and one at Tennessee in 2008.
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Auburn's SEC regular-season championships
Auburn Tigers men's basketball team has a rich history, with the program beginning in 1906. The team has had its fair share of success over the years, including some memorable SEC regular-season championship runs. Here is a detailed breakdown of Auburn's SEC regular-season championships:
The Early Years:
Auburn secured its first-ever SEC championship in 1960, under the leadership of head coach Joel Eaves. This triumph solidified Auburn's place in the competitive landscape of college basketball. Eaves was recognised as the SEC Coach of the Year following this successful campaign, in which Auburn finished with an impressive 12-2 conference record and an overall record of 19-3.
Recent Success:
Fast forward to the 2017-18 season, and Auburn found itself celebrating another SEC regular-season championship. This time, it was head coach Bruce Pearl guiding the Tigers to success. Pearl's tactical prowess and the team's consistent performance resulted in Auburn claiming its second SEC regular-season title in the modern era.
The Tigers didn't have to wait long for their next taste of SEC regular-season glory. In the 2019-20 season, Auburn, once again, showcased their dominance by clinching the SEC regular-season championship. This back-to-back achievement highlighted the program's resurgence and the development of a winning culture.
Sustained Excellence:
Auburn's success story continued into the 2021-22 season, as the Tigers added yet another SEC regular-season championship to their trophy cabinet. This victory further solidified head coach Bruce Pearl's reputation as a master tactician, as he steered the team to another impressive campaign.
The Tigers didn't rest on their laurels, and in the 2024-25 season, they roared back to the top once more. Securing their third SEC regular-season championship under Pearl, Auburn demonstrated their consistency and determination to remain among the elite basketball programs in the region.
In total, Auburn has won six regular-season conference championships, showcasing their prowess on the hardwood across different eras. The Tigers' passionate fan base and the team's commitment to excellence have contributed to a proud basketball tradition at Auburn University.
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Auburn's head basketball coaches
Auburn Tigers men's basketball team has had several notable head coaches throughout its history, with Bruce Pearl being the current and 20th head coach. Here is a detailed look at some of Auburn's head basketball coaches:
Bruce Pearl (2014 - Present)
Bruce Alan Pearl, born on March 18, 1960, is an American college basketball coach. He became Auburn's head basketball coach in 2014, replacing Tony Barbee. Pearl is the school's all-time leader in wins. He led Auburn to its third SEC regular-season championship in the 2017-18 season and its second and third SEC tournament championships in 2019 and 2024, respectively. In 2025, Pearl won his third SEC regular-season championship and was named SEC Coach of the Year for the second time. He also led Auburn to its second Final Four in the 2025 NCAA tournament.
Joel Eaves (1949 - 1963)
Joel Eaves was Auburn's 12th head men's basketball coach, coaching from 1949 to 1963. He was a former Auburn football and basketball player himself, playing from 1934 to 1937. Under Eaves, Auburn won its first-ever SEC championship in 1960, finishing with a 12-2 conference record and 19-3 overall. Eaves was named SEC Coach of the Year in 1960 and accumulated a 213-100 record at Auburn. He was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1978, and Auburn's Memorial Coliseum was renamed after him in 1987.
Sonny Smith (1978 - 1989)
Sonny Smith was Auburn's 15th head men's basketball coach, coaching for 11 seasons from 1978 to 1989. During his tenure, Smith led Auburn to the NCAA tournament in five consecutive seasons, from 1984 to 1988. In 1986, Smith guided the team to the Elite Eight before losing to the eventual national champion, Louisville. In 1985, Smith led Auburn to its first SEC Tournament victory, defeating Alabama 53-49 in overtime.
These coaches have played a significant role in shaping the success and legacy of Auburn's men's basketball program, with Bruce Pearl currently continuing the tradition of excellence.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Auburn has won the SEC Championship in basketball.
Auburn has won the SEC Championship three times: in 1985, 2019, and 2024.
Bruce Pearl was the coach when Auburn won the SEC Championship in 2024.
Yes, Auburn has won the SEC regular-season championship six times: in 1928, 1960, 1999, 2018, 2022, and 2025.
