Rise to the Moment of Truth Saturday, April 1, 2023

Tag: Auburn Basketball

Yohan Traore (21) during the game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the #16 Auburn Tigers at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, SC on Saturday, Jan 21, 2023. Steven Leonard/Auburn Tigers
Auburn basketball's Yohan Traore enters transfer portal; Chance Westry reportedly transferring

Just over one week after Auburn’s season came to an end, two of the three signees from the 2022 Auburn basketball class will be entering the transfer portal.

Charles Barkley on CBS 60 Minutes
Charles Barkley: People respect my opinions 'because I don't have a hidden agenda'

In an interview with CBS's "60 Minutes," Auburn legend Charles Barkley touched on his rise in popularity after his NBA Hall of Fame career.

Bruce Pearl during the game between the Houstan Cougars and the Auburn Tigers at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Saturday, Mar 18, 2023. Zach Bland/Auburn Tigers
Auburn offense stalls in second half, Tigers fall to Houston 81-64

Auburn went ice cold from everywhere in the second half and is once again out of the NCAA Tournament in the second round, falling to the Cougars 81-64.

Tre Donaldson (3) during the game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Auburn Tigers at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thursday, Mar 16, 2023. Zach Bland/Auburn Tigers
Auburn looks for first win against Houston in over 60 years

For the 11th time in 12 trips to the NCAA Tournament, Auburn basketball will be in the second round. The Tigers have not lost a first-round matchup since their first-ever appearance in the tournament, a one-point loss to Richmond in 1984. Auburn is moving on, and to right the wrongs of last season and make it to the second weekend, the team will have to make it through one of the best teams in the country, No. 1 Houston(32-3, 17-1 AAC). 

Tre Donaldson (3), Johni Broome (4), and Wendell Green Jr. (1) during the game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Auburn Tigers at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thursday, Mar 16, 2023. Steven Leonard/Auburn Tigers
Broome dominates against Iowa as Auburn advances

“We've played a really tough schedule, and we lost to a lot of teams that were favored and were better than us,” said Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl. “ Even though we've lost some games, I was proud of them for competing. I want them to know that they're good enough.”

Wendell Green Jr. (1) during the game between the #3 Alabama Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers at Neville Arena in Auburn, AL on Saturday, Feb 11, 2023.
Auburn faces familiar challenges in matchup with Iowa

Auburn will be facing another team that has a size advantage.

Charles Barkley
Charles Barkley: Auburn, Alabama fans 'better be cheering' for each other; Picks Bama to win NCAA Tournament

Barkley said the two schools playing in-state was "great for Alabama" and added the two teams "should cheer for the other team."

Alabama basketball
Alabama tops final AP college basketball poll of 2022-2023 season

The day after earning the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and winning the SEC Championship, the University of Alabama basketball team finished the 2022-2023 season as the No. 1 team in the country.

Head Coach Bruce Pearl during the game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the  Auburn Tigers at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville , TN on Thursday, Mar 9, 2023. Zach Bland/Auburn Tigers
Auburn selected as No. 9 seed in NCAA Tournament, will play No. 8 Iowa in Birmingham

Just like the days of the Iron Bowl at Legion Field, the center of college athletics in Alabama will once again be in Birmingham this week as the city will host Auburn and Alabama for the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers are a No. 9 seed, and will face Iowa. Birmingham will host portions of the first and second rounds of the South and Midwest Regions.

K.D. Johnson (0) during the game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the  Auburn Tigers at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville , TN on Thursday, Mar 9, 2023. Zach Bland/Auburn Tigers
Auburn goes one-and-done in SEC Tournament, awaits Selection Sunday

It was a different story from last year, but the same result for Auburn (20-12, 10-8 SEC), who has gone one-and-done in the SEC Tournament for the second year in a row, dropping a second-round matchup with Arkansas 76-73. The Razorbacks (20-12, 8-10 SEC) will move on and look to strengthen their NCAA Tournament resume, while the Tigers will look to regroup and prepare for the madness of March.

Wendell Green Jr. (1) during the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Auburn Tigers at Neville Arena in Auburn, AL on Saturday, Mar 4, 2023. Zach Bland/Auburn Tigers
Wendell Green, Jr. bounces back again as Auburn takes down No. 12 Tennessee

Auburn has faced must-win after must-win in the last month, and it has been more disappointment than excitement for the Tigers. Losers of eight of their last 11, the Tigers needed a win to not only go into the SEC Tournament with momentum, but also send the seniors out on top. Auburn(20-11, 10-8 SEC) did both, earning a crucial Quad 1 win, taking down No. 12 Tennessee(22-8, 11-7 SEC) 79-70. 

Bruce Pearl at Auburn
Bruce Pearl rips officiating after overtime loss to Alabama — 'Joke!'

Auburn head basketball coach Bruce Pearl voiced his frustration with the officiating following his team's overtime loss to No. 2 Alabama on Wednesday night.

K.D. Johnson (0) during the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, AL on Wednesday, Mar 1, 2023. Steven Leonard/Auburn Tigers
KD Johnson scores 21 in Auburn loss to Alabama

Auburn surrendered its 17-point lead, lost Johni Broome to foul trouble and Dylan Cardwell to an injury, and still, the Tigers had a chance to win in regulation.

Nimari Burnett Twitter Alabama MBB
Alabama holds steady at No. 2 in latest AP top 25 college basketball poll

After going undefeated last week, the University of Alabama men's basketball team remained the second-ranked team in the country.

Febuary 25, 2023; Auburn, AL, USA; K.D. Johnson (0) during the game between the Auburn Tigers and the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Leonard/AU Athletics
Auburn dominated on the glass in worst loss since 2016

With three difficult games left on the schedule, and a team that was narrowly avoiding the bubble, Auburn(19-10, 9-7 SEC) needed to build off of the momentum from the Ole Miss win and compete in Rupp Arena. Instead, what was a close game quickly turned into complete domination as the Tigers fell to the Wildcats(20-9, 11-5 SEC) 86-54. 

Wendell Green Jr. (1) during the game between the Ole Miss Rebels and the  Auburn Tigers at Nevile Arena in Auburn, AL on Wednesday, Feb 22, 2023. Zach Bland/Auburn Tigers
Auburn sweeps Ole Miss; Wendell Green Jr. shines in 'must-win' game

No win in the SEC comes easily, and while it was not always pretty, Auburn took down Ole Miss 78-74, clinching the season sweep of the Rebels.

Lior Berman (24) during the game between the Vanderbilt Commodores and the  Auburn Tigers at Memorial Gymnasium in Auburn, AL on Saturday, Feb 18, 2023.
Auburn basketball faces another must-win, and Lior Berman sees an expanded role

Another SEC matchup coming up and it is another must-win for the Tigers. Auburn welcomes Ole Miss(10-17, 2-12 SEC) to Neville Arena this week as only four games remain before the SEC Tournament. 

Alabama basketball vs UGA
Alabama falls one spot to No. 2 in AP poll after suffering first SEC loss

The University of Alabama's time as the top basketball team in the nation lasted only one week.

Johni Broome (4) during the game between the Vanderbilt Commodores and the  Auburn Tigers at Memorial Gymnasium in Auburn, AL on Saturday, Feb 18, 2023.
Broome and Williams combine for 37, but Auburn unable to secure win in Nashville

In a big day for the SEC, with a huge win for Alabama and a critical victory for Kentucky in Rupp, Auburn’s NCAA Tournament resume took a significant blow with a loss to Vanderbilt in Nashville.

Johni Broome (4) during the game between the Missouri Tigers and the Auburn Tigers at Neville Arena in Auburn, AL on Tuesday, Feb 14, 2023. Zach Bland/Auburn Tigers
Auburn dominates in crucial 'must-win' game against Missouri

In what Bruce Pearl called a “must-win” game, the Tigers (18-8, 8-5 SEC) not only defeated but completely dominated Missouri (19-7, 7-6 SEC) in a wire-to-wire victory at Neville Arena. Auburn jumped out to a 19-2 first-half lead against the Tigers of the SEC East, and from there the result was rarely in doubt. Auburn is back in the win column after an impressive 89-56 victory, as the road to the NCAA Tournament continues. 

Alabama bball, brandon miller
Alabama basketball jumps to No. 1 in the country for second time ever after taking down Auburn

The University of Alabama basketball team is now the top-ranked team in the country. This marks the second time in program history that Alabama has been ranked first overall.

Wendell Green Jr. (1) during the game between the #3 Alabama Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers at Neville Arena in Auburn, AL on Saturday, Feb 11, 2023.
Wendell Green, Jr. shines but Auburn unable to take down the Tide

The students camped out, College Gameday was back in Neville Arena and Wendell Green Jr. scored a season-high 24 points, but Auburn could not stop the rolling of the Tide as Alabama secured another SEC win, 77-69. 

Dylan Cardwell (44) during the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the #29 Auburn Tigers at Reed Arena in College Station, TX on Tuesday, Feb 7, 2023. Steven Leonard/Auburn Tigers
Auburn plagued by foul trouble in close loss to Texas A&M

It was another hostile environment, another physical and controversial contest and another loss for the Tigers Tuesday night. Auburn had a solid lead twice, but each slipped away as they surrendered their third straight game on the road, falling in College Station to Texas A&M 83-78.

AP23035857756727
Alabama up to No. 3, Auburn drops out of AP top 25

The University of Alabama basketball team moved up to No. 3 in the nation, while Auburn University's basketball team fell out of the Associated Press top 25 college basketball poll for the first time in 33 weeks.

Johni Broome (4) during the game between The Tennessee Volunteers and the #25 Auburn Tigers at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, TN on Saturday, Feb 4, 2023.
Auburn goes ice cold in Knoxville, falls to No. 2 Volunteers 46-43

It was a true “rock fight” between two of the best defenses in the country, but the Volunteers hit just a few more shots than the Tigers, ultimately taking the win 46-43 and keeping pace with Alabama in the SEC. 

Bruce Pearl
Auburn basketball lands Labaron Philon; 2024 class now No. 3 in the country

With Auburn basketball facing its toughest test yet when the Tigers face Tennessee tomorrow, Bruce Pearl and his staff have secured a big win off the court. Labaron Philon, the star point guard for Baker high school and the No. 1 player in Alabama, has committed to play at Auburn.

Allen Flanigan (22) during the game between the Georgia Buldogs and the #25 Auburn Tigers at Neville Arena in Auburn, AL on Wednesday, Feb 1, 2023. Zach Bland/Auburn Tigers
Auburn trio Broome, Green, Flanigan combine for 59 in win over Georgia

After two straight games with big first-half deficits, No. 25 Auburn (17-5, 6-2 SEC) rode an 18-point halftime lead of its own on the way to a big victory over Georgia (14-8, 4-5 SEC) getting revenge on the Bulldogs to the tune of 94-73 Wednesday night.

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