A look back at Auburn’s historic run in the NCAA Tournament this year

No one, even Auburn fans, could have possibly expected their team to go on a run this big at the end of the season. However, going into the Final Four, Auburn looked to be the team to beat in the tournament. The Tigers had won 12 games straight, dating back to the end of the regular season. They hadn’t had an easy go of things either during that 12-game stretch. The Tigers beat the likes of Tennessee twice, North Carolina, and Kentucky. Those were some of the top teams in the NCAA and many people had predicted UNC to win another National Championship. Many Auburn fans were concerned after Auburn only beat 12-seed New Mexico State by one point in the first round of the tournament, but the team has shown how resilient and deadly they could be. Auburn went on to face Kansas in the second round of the NCAA tournament, who were ranked number 1 in the preseason. The Tigers annihilated the Jayhawks, 89-75, to move on to the Sweet Sixteen against UNC. UNC have always been one of NCAA basketball’s great powerhouses, but Auburn was not intimidated. They went into a game a demolished UNC 97-80 in a game many predicted them to lose in. However, Auburn star player Chuma Okeke had to leave the game against UNC and would not return to the lineup for the rest of the tournament. This was a blow felt all around Auburn because Okeke had been Auburn’s best player and leader during the season. Many expected the Tigers to lose in their Elite 8 game against Kentucky because of Okeke’s injury. However, the Tigers again came out strong in this game and beat Kentucky in overtime to head to their first ever Final Four. Their opponent for this game was UVA, a team that had struggled offensively throughout the year but who’s defense was the best in the country. Many fans were starting to believe in Auburn’s ability to win a National Championship and were gaining confidence going into this game. Auburn stayed with Virginia and fought to stay level. Auburn finished the game with a 9-0 run to take a 62-60 lead with just 9 seconds left on the clock. Virginia came down and shot the ball at almost the buzzer and missed. Auburn fans went crazy, believing they had won the game. However, that was not the case. A whistle blew through the air after the shot, claiming an Auburn defender fouled Virginia guard Kyle Guy beyond the three-point line. Guy was given the opportunity to shoot three free throws, and made all of them. Auburn had one last shot to win the game, but it fell short and so did the Tiger’s aim of winning a National Championship. Despite not winning the title this year, many basketball fans admired Auburn’s run and believed the Tigers were robbed of their first ever National Championship. The Tiger’s run will forever be remembered as one of their best of all time.

Sources:

CBS Sports

Auburn Schedule