Helena Frye
Auburn University's basketball team, the Auburn Tigers, has a rich history in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. The Tigers have made it to the Elite Eight on multiple occasions, with their first appearance in the regional finals coming in 1986. The Tigers returned to the Elite Eight in 2019, where they defeated conference rival Kentucky in overtime to advance to their first-ever Final Four. In 2025, the Auburn Tigers, led by coach Bruce Pearl, once again reached the Elite Eight, marking Pearl's third career NCAA Division I Elite Eight appearance. With a win over Michigan, the Tigers advanced to the Final Four for the second time in program history.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Has Auburn University basketball ever been to Elite 8 | Yes |
| Number of times Auburn University has been to Elite 8 | 3 (1986, 2019, 2025) |
| Coach during 2025 Elite 8 run | Bruce Pearl |
| Number of career Elite 8 appearances for Bruce Pearl | 3 |
| Score of 2025 Elite 8 game | Auburn 70-64 Michigan State |
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What You'll Learn
Auburn Tigers men's basketball history
The Auburn Tigers men's basketball team represents Auburn University and competes in the Southeastern Conference in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Tigers play their home games at the Neville Arena in Auburn, Alabama, on the university campus.
The Auburn Tigers men's basketball program began in 1906, with Mike "Iron Mike" Donahue serving as the team's first head coach for 16 seasons, the longest tenure in the team's history. The Tigers have a long-standing rivalry with Alabama, dating back to their first meeting in the Southern Conference Tournament in 1924.
Cliff Ellis, the team's 17th head coach, led the Tigers to success in the 1998-99 season, winning an SEC regular-season championship and earning the program's first-ever #1 seed in the NCAA tournament, where they reached the Sweet Sixteen. Bruce Pearl, the current head coach, has led the Tigers to three SEC regular-season championships and two SEC tournament championships. Under Pearl's leadership, the Tigers advanced to their first Final Four in the 2019 NCAA tournament and repeated the feat in 2025.
The Auburn Tigers men's basketball team has a rich history, with notable achievements including multiple conference championships and tournament appearances. The team has produced talented players and coaches, contributing to the team's success and competitiveness in the NCAA.
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Auburn's 2025 NCAA Tournament run
Auburn University's basketball team, the Auburn Tigers, has had a stellar 2025 NCAA Tournament run. Led by head coach Bruce Pearl, the Tigers made their second Final Four appearance in 2025, following their first historic Final Four run in 2019.
The Tigers' road to the Elite Eight and beyond in 2025 was paved with impressive victories. They defeated Ohio State 91-53 and Purdue 87-69 in the early stages of the tournament. Auburn then beat Michigan 78-65 in the Sweet 16, marking their third straight victory at the State Farm Arena. This win propelled them into the Elite Eight, where they faced Michigan State.
The top-seeded Tigers overcame Michigan State's Spartans 70-64 in a thrilling Elite Eight encounter. Auburn's strong defensive display and accurate shooting propelled them to victory. The team's impressive run continued, and they advanced to the Final Four, improving their record to an impressive 32-5.
Auburn's success in the 2025 NCAA Tournament can be attributed to a combination of talented players and the leadership of Coach Bruce Pearl. Pearl, who became Auburn's 20th head men's basketball coach in 2014, has guided the team to remarkable achievements. He has won three SEC regular-season championships and two SEC tournament championships during his tenure.
The Tigers' starting lineup in 2025 featured a formidable group of players, including Denver Jones, Miles Kelly, Chad Baker-Mazara, Johni Broome, and Dylan Cardwell. This unit had a remarkable record of 22-4 as a starting five. All-American Johni Broome was a standout performer, scoring 22 points and grabbing 16 rebounds in the win against Michigan.
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Auburn's 2019 NCAA Tournament run
Auburn University's basketball team, the Auburn Tigers, has a rich history in the NCAA Tournament, with 14 appearances as of 2025. The Tigers' 2019 NCAA Tournament run was particularly memorable, as they advanced to the Final Four for the first time in the program's history.
The 2019 tournament run was highlighted by the Tigers' resilience and strong performance in the face of tough competition. The team's success can be attributed to their talented players and the leadership of head coach Bruce Pearl, who joined the team in 2014.
During the 2019 tournament, the Auburn Tigers showcased their determination and ability to overcome challenges. In the first round, they faced a tough matchup against New Mexico State, with the game nearly ending in a collapse in the final minutes. Auburn narrowly escaped defeat, proving their resilience early on in the tournament.
The Tigers continued to display their prowess as they advanced through the rounds, facing off against notable opponents such as Kansas and Kentucky. One of the standout performers during this run was Bryce Brown, who is remembered for his exceptional three-point shooting. Brown's performance against Kansas and his perfect second-half shooting against Kentucky contributed significantly to the team's success.
The Auburn Tigers' 2019 NCAA Tournament run culminated in a historic appearance in the Final Four. Although they fell short in a close game against the Virginia Cavaliers, losing 63-62, their achievement of reaching the Final Four for the first time solidified their place in the program's history.
The 2019 tournament run showcased the Auburn Tigers' talent, determination, and ability to rise to the occasion. It served as a testament to the program's growth and the impact of Coach Bruce Pearl, who led the team to new heights.
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Auburn's 1986 NCAA Tournament run
The Auburn Tigers men's basketball team has a rich history, with the program beginning in 1906. They have appeared in the NCAA tournament 14 times, with notable success in recent years, reaching the Final Four in 2019 and 2025.
One of their earliest notable tournament runs was back in 1986. In that year's NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, 64 schools competed to determine the national champion. Auburn, seeded 8th in the West, first knocked out the 16th seed Montana State in the first round. They then caused an upset by defeating the number one seed, St. John's, in the second round. This result is considered to have contributed to the tournament's reputation for having lesser-known teams surprise basketball powerhouses.
Auburn continued their impressive run by beating Kentucky, the number one seed in the Midwest, in the third round. They then faced another number one seed, Duke, in the regional final, but their journey came to an end with a 71-67 loss. Duke's Johnny Dawkins was the tournament's leading scorer with 153 points.
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Auburn's basketball rivalry with Alabama
The Auburn Tigers men's basketball team has a long-standing rivalry with the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. This rivalry, often referred to as the "Iron Bowl of Basketball", dates back to 1924 when the two teams first met in the Southern Conference Tournament, with Auburn losing 19-40. Since then, the two programs have played each other regularly, meeting at least twice every season since 1949.
The rivalry between Auburn and Alabama is intense and deeply rooted, with both schools being well-known for their athletic programs, particularly in football. The basketball rivalry has produced some memorable moments, including Auburn's first win in 1949, when they beat Alabama 45-40, and their 1985 SEC Tournament championship victory, which they won in overtime by a score of 53-49. Auburn's largest margin of victory came in 1998 when they defeated Alabama 94-40.
The rivalry has also seen some close games, with Alabama coming back from a 13-point deficit in 2022 to tie the game before Auburn pulled away for the win. Alabama also won a close game in 2023, beating Auburn 77-69 at Neville Arena. The most recent matchup between the two teams in 2025 saw Alabama avenge an earlier loss with a 93-91 overtime victory at Neville Arena.
The all-time series record currently stands at 103 wins for Alabama and 69 wins for Auburn. While Alabama leads the series in Tuscaloosa and several other cities, Auburn holds the advantage in games played in their home city, as well as in Montgomery and Birmingham. The rivalry between the two schools extends beyond the basketball court, with the winner of the annual Alabama-Auburn football game receiving the Foy-ODK Sportsmanship Award, presented by the Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Auburn University has been to the Elite Eight three times: in 1986, 2019, and 2025.
The Auburn University basketball team is called the Auburn Tigers.
Auburn University has appeared in the NCAA tournament 14 times.
