Auburn Tigers Secure First-Ever No. 1 Seed in NCAA Tournament
For the first time in program history, the Auburn Tigers have been awarded the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. Despite a sluggish finish to the regular season, their impressive body of work throughout the year solidified their position at the top.
Auburn’s Tournament Path
As expected based on tournament projections, Auburn will compete in the South Region, with their early-round games taking place in Lexington, Kentucky. Their first matchup will be against the winner of a First Four play-in game between Alabama State and Saint Francis.
Regular Season and Conference Play Recap
Auburn capped off their season with an impressive 28-5 overall record, including a dominant 15-3 performance in SEC play. Their strong conference showing earned them the SEC Regular Season Championship. In the SEC Tournament, they advanced to the quarterfinals, where they secured a hard-fought 62-57 victory over Ole Miss before being eliminated.
**Statistical Dominance and National Rankings**
Auburn’s performance throughout the season positioned them as one of the best teams in the nation. They finished second in the NET rankings, boasting a 16-5 record against Quad 1 opponents—an impressive feat considering the level of competition. Even more remarkably, they remained undefeated against teams in the other three quadrants, further proving their dominance.
In the final AP Poll before Selection Sunday, Auburn secured the No. 3 ranking nationally and even received four first-place votes. For the two months leading up to the tournament, they were frequently regarded as the top team in the country, holding the No. 1 spot in various rankings for a significant stretch.
**Tournament Schedule and Road to the Championship**
The First Four play-in games, determining Auburn’s first-round opponent, will be held on March 18 and March 19. The Tigers will then begin their tournament run in the Round of 64 in Lexington, with games scheduled between March 20 and March 22.
Should Auburn advance deep into the tournament, they would compete in the Final Four in San Antonio, Texas, on April 5. If they continue their winning ways, they would play for the national championship on April 7, aiming to make history with their first-ever title.
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