Auburn Strengthens Schedule with Home-and-Home Series Against Arizona
The Auburn Tigers are continuing to build on their reputation for assembling one of the toughest schedules in college basketball. They have officially signed a home-and-home series with the Arizona Wildcats, another powerhouse program, further solidifying their commitment to high-level competition.
Details of the Matchup
Auburn will first travel to Tucson, Arizona, to face the Wildcats at the McKale Center on December 6, 2025. The return game will be held in Auburn, though the exact date has yet to be determined.
Historically, Auburn holds a 2-0 lead in the all-time series against Arizona. Their last meeting occurred at the 2018 Maui Invitational, where the Tigers secured a 73-57 victory. Prior to that, they faced off in the 1986 NCAA Tournament’s First Round, with Auburn winning 73-63 in Long Beach, California.
Auburn and Arizona’s Current Rankings
At the time of this announcement, Auburn is ranked No. 1 in both the AP Top 25 Poll and the ESPN Coaches Top 25 Poll, establishing itself as the top team in the nation. Arizona, meanwhile, holds the No. 22 spot in the AP Poll and is ranked No. 21 in the Coaches Poll.
Auburn’s Tough Non-Conference Schedule
This upcoming matchup is just one part of Auburn’s relentless pursuit of challenging opponents. The Tigers have already scheduled a rematch against Purdue in the Fourth Annual Indy Classic, set to take place on December 20, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
So far this season, Auburn has faced an impressive lineup of ranked teams, including:
No. 2 Duke
– No. 4 Houston
– No. 9 Iowa State
– No. 18 Memphis
– No. 20 Purdue
– Perennial basketball powerhouses North Carolina (UNC) and Ohio State
The SEC: A Brutal Conference This Year
Auburn’s strength of schedule isn’t limited to non-conference play. The SEC has been one of the most competitive conferences in recent history, and the Tigers have battled numerous top-tier teams within their league, including:
– No. 3 Florida
– No. 5 Tennessee
– No. 6 Alabama
– No. 12 Texas A&M
– No. 14 Missouri
– No. 24 Mississippi State
With just three games remaining in the regular season, Auburn still has major tests ahead. They will travel to No. 17 Kentucky, then visit Texas A&M, before hosting Alabama in what promises to be an electric season finale.
*Final Thoughts
Auburn’s decision to schedule another top-tier opponent like Arizona underscores its commitment to playing the best teams in the country. As the No. 1 team in the nation, the Tigers continue to prove themselves against elite competition, ensuring they are battle-tested for postseason play. Whether they can maintain their dominance through the rest of the season remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—Auburn isn’t backing down from any challenge.
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