Amanda Knapp
The Auburn Tigers men's basketball team has had a rich history since its program started in 1906 by Mike Iron Mike Donahue. The team has had its fair share of success, with six head coaches being named SEC Coach of the Year a total of nine times. However, the team has also faced setbacks, such as NCAA sanctions over alleged recruiting violations. With a strong performance in the Maui Invitational, where they beat Iowa State, North Carolina, and Memphis, Auburn's men's basketball team has climbed to the top spot in the latest Power 37 rankings. Despite their recent success, there are still questions about why they aren't consistently ranked as the number one team in men's college basketball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current ranking | #1 |
| Previous ranking | #4 |
| Season wins | 7 |
| Season losses | 0 |
| Head coach | Bruce Pearl |
| Player of the year frontrunner | Johni Broome |
| NCAA sanctions | Recruiting violations |
| First head coach | Mike "Iron Mike" Donahue |
| Current roster | 2024-25 Auburn Tigers Men's Roster |
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What You'll Learn
Auburn Tigers' players and coaches
The Auburn Tigers men's basketball team is the intercollegiate basketball team representing Auburn University in the Southeastern Conference of Division I of the NCAA. The Tigers play their home games at the Neville Arena in Auburn, Alabama, and the team has had 20 head coaches since the program began in 1906, with Mike "Iron Mike" Donahue acting as the first. Donahue also served as the athletic director and coached the football, baseball, track, and soccer teams at Auburn.
The Tigers have had six head coaches selected as SEC Coach of the Year a total of nine times. Cliff Ellis and Bruce Pearl, who became Auburn's 20th head coach in 2014, were named National Coach of the Year in 1999 and 2025, respectively.
Auburn's players have also achieved notable success. Johni Broome, for example, is a frontrunner for the player of the year award. Former Auburn player Charles Barkley was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.
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Previous tournament performance
The Auburn Tigers men's basketball team has had a rich history in the NCAA Tournament, with 13 appearances to their name. The team first qualified for the tournament in 1984 under the leadership of head coach Sonny Smith, who guided them to five consecutive appearances from 1984 to 1988, including a memorable run to the Elite Eight in 1986. Smith also led the Tigers to their first SEC Tournament Championship in 1985.
The Tigers' early tournament history was marked by some notable successes, but they experienced a 15-year drought before returning to the NCAA Tournament in 2019. This time, under the guidance of head coach Bruce Pearl, Auburn secured its third SEC regular-season championship and advanced to the Final Four for the first time in program history. Pearl, who took over as head coach in 2014, has led the Tigers to five NCAA Tournament appearances as of 2024, showcasing the team's consistent performance under his leadership.
One of the most impressive seasons for the Auburn Tigers came in 2019 when they reached new heights. After claiming the SEC regular-season title, they made a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, ultimately falling to Clemson in the round of 32. This loss left a bitter taste for Auburn fans, considering their strong showing throughout the season.
The Tigers have also experienced some setbacks and close calls in recent memory. In the 2024 NCAA Tournament, they suffered an unexpected first-round exit at the hands of Yale. Additionally, in the 2025 season, they faced tough competition from non-conference opponents, including a close contest against the second-ranked Duke. Despite these challenges, the Tigers have consistently proven their mettle, earning a spot as the No. 1 overall seed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, led by SEC Player of the Year, Johni Broome.
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Current tournament performance
Auburn Tigers, the intercollegiate men's basketball team representing Auburn University, has had a rich history in the sport. The team has had its fair share of successes and accolades, including six head coaches being named SEC Coach of the Year a total of nine times. Former head coaches Cliff Ellis and Bruce Pearl were also named National Coach of the Year in 1999 and 2025, respectively.
In terms of current tournament performance, the Tigers have been performing exceptionally well and have climbed to the top of the rankings. As of December 2024, Auburn was ranked #1 in the latest men's basketball Power 37 rankings by NCAA.com, overtaking Kansas, who beat Duke but had a less impressive week compared to Auburn. The Tigers won the Maui Invitational, beating strong teams like Iowa State, North Carolina, and Memphis, showcasing their dominance and earning them the top spot in the country.
Auburn's success in the Maui Invitational and other tournaments has been a significant boost to their season. Their performance has been driven by key players like Johni Broome, who is a frontrunner for player of the year, and Bamba, who has put up impressive numbers. The team's success has also been attributed to their well-rounded game, with strong offensive and defensive capabilities.
However, it is important to note that these rankings and performances are from the 2024-25 season, and the current tournament performance may have changed since then. To get the most up-to-date information on Auburn Tigers' men's basketball current tournament performance, it is recommended to refer to recent news, updates, and official sources from the ongoing season.
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Player of the Year candidates
Auburn Tigers, the intercollegiate men's basketball team representing Auburn University, has had a rich history in the sport. The team has produced 35 NBA draft picks, including 10 first-round selections, and former Auburn player Charles Barkley was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.
While the team has experienced success, there have also been setbacks. Auburn faced NCAA sanctions over alleged recruiting violations during one season, but head coach Ellis was cleared of any wrongdoing.
Now, onto the Player of the Year candidates. Johni Broome is the latest frontrunner for the award. He has been pivotal in Auburn's success, and his performance against Texas A&M, San Diego State, and Alabama solidified his case. In those three games, he put up impressive numbers, with 18, 22, and 12 points, respectively. He also made five three-pointers, had 16 out of 39 field goals, and 15 out of 21 free throws. His contributions extended beyond scoring, as he grabbed seven rebounds, dished out 11 assists, blocked three shots, and recorded five steals.
Broome's outstanding play has him in contention for the Wooden Award, going up against Duke's Cooper Flagg. While the competition is fierce, Broome's impact on the court and his team's success have him as a strong candidate for Player of the Year.
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NCAA sanctions
The Auburn Tigers men's basketball team has had a rich history since its inception in 1906 by Mike "Iron Mike" Donahue, who also served as the school's athletic director and coached several other sports teams. Over the years, Auburn has produced notable athletes and coaches, including Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley and National Coaches of the Year Cliff Ellis and Bruce Pearl.
However, the team has also faced setbacks, including NCAA sanctions over alleged recruiting violations. While Ellis was not found at fault after the investigation, the sanctions may have impacted the team's performance and standing.
Despite this, the Auburn Tigers have shown resilience and a commitment to excellence on the court. In the 2024-2025 season, they rose to the top of the Power 37 rankings, showcasing their talent and hard work. Their success included impressive wins against Iowa State, North Carolina, and Memphis in the Maui Invitational, solidifying their position as the best team in the country at that time.
Johni Broome, a standout player for Auburn, was in the running for the Wooden Award and Player of the Year, highlighting the talent and potential within the team. Their performance and dedication to the sport have earned them recognition and a place among the top men's college basketball teams in the nation.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Auburn is ranked number one in the latest men's basketball Power 37 rankings.
Johni Broome is a frontrunner for the player of the year award, and Cooper Flagg is also a top player.
Bruce Pearl is the current head coach.
No, Auburn faced NCAA sanctions over alleged recruiting violations during the 2024-25 season.
Mike "Iron Mike" Donahue was the first head coach of Auburn Men's Basketball, starting the program in 1906.
