Kristian Ferrell
The Auburn Tigers men's basketball team has had its fair share of triumphs and setbacks over the years. The team, currently coached by Bruce Pearl, has a rich history dating back to 1906, with notable achievements including multiple SEC regular-season championships, SEC tournament championships, and appearances in the NCAA tournament. However, in recent times, the team has faced challenges, including consecutive losses and the need to reset and refocus ahead of important tournaments. Despite these difficulties, the Auburn Tigers have consistently produced talented players, with many progressing to the NBA and achieving individual accolades.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Basketball program started | 1906 |
| First head coach | Mike "Iron Mike" Donahue |
| Current coach | Bruce Pearl |
| Number of head coaches | 20 |
| Number of SEC Coach of the Year awards | 9 |
| Number of National Coach of the Year awards | 2 |
| Number of SEC regular season championships | 6 |
| Number of SEC tournament championships | 3 |
| Number of appearances in the NCAA tournament | 14 |
| Best NCAA tournament performance | Final Four (2019, 2024/25) |
| Number of All-Americans | 14 |
| Number of All-SEC selections | 102 |
| Number of NBA draft picks | 36 |
| Highest NBA draft pick | Jabari Smith (3rd overall, 2022) |
| Number of SEC Players of the Year | 3 |
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What You'll Learn
Auburn Tigers' road to the Final Four
The Auburn Tigers' road to the Final Four in 2025 was a historic season for the team. It was only the second time in the program's history that they had reached the Final Four.
The Tigers' journey began with a strong defensive performance, carrying them all season long. They defeated Michigan and Michigan State to make it to San Antonio, where they faced a familiar foe in the No. 1 seed Florida Gators. The Gators had dominated the first meeting between the two teams earlier in the season, with a score of 90-81. However, Auburn was determined to prove their worth and fought hard to secure their place in the Final Four.
In the South Regional final, Auburn faced Michigan State, holding them to just 34.4% shooting and committing only six turnovers. The Tigers won with a score of 70-64, with Johni Broome leading the charge. Broome, an All-American and SEC Player of the Year, scored 25 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, showcasing his talent and determination.
Auburn's success continued as they advanced to the Final Four, facing Florida once again. The Tigers put up a strong fight, with Chad Baker-Mazara leading the team with 18 points. At halftime, Auburn led 46-38, but Florida rallied in the second half, outscoring the Tigers 41-27 and ultimately securing a 79-73 victory. Despite the loss, Auburn's coach Bruce Pearl praised his team, stating, "I'm really proud of my team, how these guys made history, the best basketball team in the history of Auburn basketball."
The Auburn Tigers' road to the Final Four in 2025 was a memorable journey, with the team breaking records and surpassing expectations. Their strong defence, coupled with the outstanding performances of players like Broome and Baker-Mazara, showcased the team's talent and determination. Despite falling short in the Final Four, the Tigers left their mark on the tournament and in the hearts of their fans.
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Johni Broome's performance
Johni Broome, a forward for the Auburn Tigers men's basketball team, has had a stellar career. In the 2024-25 season, Broome was named SEC Player of the Year, becoming only the third Auburn player to achieve this honour, after Charles Barkley in 1984 and Chris Porter in 1999.
Broome, who stands at 6'10" and weighs 240 lbs, is a dominant force in the paint. During the 2024-25 season, he averaged 18.6 points and 10.8 rebounds per game, while also contributing 2.9 assists and 1.7 blocks. He was a key reason Auburn finished with a 32-6 record and a first-place finish in the SEC.
One of Broome's standout performances came in the OVC Championship Game on March 6, 2021, against Belmont. He scored a career-high 27 points and added 13 rebounds, showcasing his ability to take over a game. He also had an impressive showing in the NCAA Tournament First Round that year, with 10 points and nine rebounds against West Virginia.
Broome has been consistently excellent throughout his college career. In the 2021-22 season, he was named OVC Defensive Player of the Year, and in the 2020-21 season, he was the OVC Rookie of the Year. He has been a two-time All-OVC and a three-time All-SEC selection.
Broome's impressive college career has also led to his selection in the 2025 NBA Draft. He was picked by the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round (35th overall).
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Auburn's head coaches
Auburn Tigers men's basketball team has had 20 head coaches since the program started in 1906. Here is a detailed look at some of Auburn's head coaches:
Mike "Iron Mike" Donahue
Mike "Iron Mike" Donahue was Auburn's first head coach. He started the program in 1906 and coached for 16 seasons, the longest tenure in the team's history. During his time, he also served as the athletic director and coached the football, baseball, track, and soccer teams.
Ralph "Shug" Jordan
Ralph "Shug" Jordan coached the Auburn men's basketball program for 10 seasons from 1933 to 1942. Jordan had to leave his coaching career to fight in World War II. After the war, he returned to coach the 1945-46 team before leaving Auburn to become the head coach at the University of Georgia.
Joel Eaves
Joel Eaves was Auburn's 12th head coach, leading the team from 1949 to 1963. Under his guidance, Auburn won its first-ever SEC championship in 1960. Eaves was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1978, and Auburn's Memorial Coliseum was renamed after him in 1987.
Sonny Smith
Sonny Smith was Auburn's 15th head coach, leading the team for 11 seasons from 1978 to 1989. During his tenure, Smith achieved significant success, leading Auburn to its first-ever NCAA tournament in 1984 and its first SEC tournament championship in 1985. He was named SEC Coach of the Year in 1984 and 1988.
Cliff Ellis
Cliff Ellis was Auburn's 17th head coach, serving from 1994 to 2004. Ellis enjoyed a successful tenure, leading the Tigers to an SEC regular-season championship and the program's first-ever #1 seed in the NCAA tournament in 1999. He was named SEC and National Coach of the Year in the same year. Ellis also took Auburn to the NCAA tournament two more times before being released after the 2003-04 season.
Bruce Pearl
As of March 2025, Bruce Pearl is the current head coach of the Auburn Tigers men's basketball team. Pearl has been highly successful, helping the team win two regular-season SEC championships, two SEC tournament championships, and achieving five NCAA tournament spots. He is ranked 12th among active NCAA Division I coaches with 662 career wins. Pearl's son, Steven Pearl, joined the team in 2011 and was promoted to associate head coach in 2023.
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The Tigers' toughest non-conference schedule
The Auburn Tigers men's basketball team has had a rich history, with the program beginning in 1906 and currently being coached by Bruce Pearl. Over the years, Auburn has produced 36 NBA draft picks and appeared in the NCAA tournament 14 times, making it as far as the Final Four in 2019 and 2025.
In the 2024-25 season, the Tigers are set to take on one of their toughest non-conference schedules ever. Head coach Bruce Pearl acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming schedule, stating that it is probably the toughest in his 29 years of being a head coach. He attributed the challenging schedule to the team's success over the last eight seasons, which has made them an attractive opponent for some of the nation's best teams.
The non-conference schedule includes games against top-ranked opponents such as Alabama, Missouri, UNLV, Ohio University, and Louisiana Tech. The Tigers will also face power conference opponents in at least seven games, with potential matchups against Auburn, Iowa State, North Carolina, or Dayton. The team will travel to Clemson and Virginia for road trips and host regional rivals Mississippi State Bulldogs and Ole Miss to close out the non-conference portion.
Additionally, the Tigers will participate in the Maui Invitational, featuring four teams ranked in the top 11 of ESPN's "Way Too Early Top 25", including back-to-back defending national champion UConn. The invitational will provide a significant test for the team.
With such a demanding non-conference schedule, the Auburn Tigers are poised to face some of the nation's best teams, pushing them to new heights and setting a tone for the rest of the 2024-25 season.
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The team's losses and what needs to change
The Auburn Tigers men's basketball team has a rich history, with the program beginning in 1906 and producing notable alumni such as Charles Barkley, a former NBA player inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006. The team has had its fair share of successes, including appearing in the NCAA tournament 14 times, winning six conference regular season championships, and three SEC tournament championships.
However, in March 2025, the team suffered two consecutive losses to close out the regular season. Despite winning the regular-season championship, these losses highlighted areas where the team needs to improve. One key area is rebounding; in their losses to Kentucky and Texas A&M, Auburn was outrebounded by a significant margin, with their opponents grabbing 71 rebounds compared to their 45. This trend continued in their game against Alabama, where they were out-rebounded 41-33, leading to crucial second-chance points for their opponents.
To turn their losses around, the Tigers need to focus on improving their rebounding game. As Johni Broome, the SEC Player of the Year, mentioned, it starts with him and he needs to be better. However, he also emphasized that it will take a collective effort from the entire team. Guard and bigs need to work together to box out and secure rebounds.
Additionally, the Tigers need to step up their performance and play with more consistency. While they have the talent and the pieces to succeed, they need to put it all together and bring their best game every time they step onto the court. Head coach Bruce Pearl, who has been with the team for over a decade, will play a crucial role in motivating and guiding the team to improve their performance and make the necessary adjustments.
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Frequently asked questions
The Auburn Tigers men's basketball program is the intercollegiate men's basketball team representing Auburn University. The team plays in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and competes in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The Auburn Tigers program began in 1906 and has had 20 head coaches, including the current coach, Bruce Pearl.
The Auburn Tigers have had numerous achievements over the years. They have won six conference regular season championships and three SEC tournament championships. They have appeared in the NCAA tournament 14 times, reaching the Final Four in 2019, 2024/25, and 2025. Auburn has produced 36 NBA draft picks, including the highest in its history, Jabari Smith, who was selected third overall in 2022. Three Auburn players have been named SEC Player of the Year: Charles Barkley in 1984, Chris Porter in 1999, and Johni Broome in 2025.
Notable coaches of the Auburn Tigers include Mike "Iron Mike" Donahue, the first head coach who led the team for 16 seasons from 1906 to 1921. Ralph "Shug" Jordan coached the team for 10 seasons from 1933 to 1942 and then for the 1945-46 season. Joel Eaves was Auburn's 12th head coach from 1949 to 1963 and led the team to its first SEC championship in 1960. Sonny Smith coached Auburn from 1978 to 1989, leading them to their first NCAA tournament in 1984 and their first SEC tournament championship in 1985. Bruce Pearl is the current coach and has led Auburn to recent successes, including the Final Four in 2025.
