Auburn’s 2025 NCAA Tournament opener against Alabama State was a mixed bag, with the Tigers showing flashes of brilliance but ultimately succumbing to a 10-point defeat. Despite being outplayed in the first half, Auburn’s No.1 overall seed status is cause for concern.
The team’s struggles are reminiscent of last year’s tournament, when they were upset by 10-seed Miami. Bruce Pearl’s best teams have consistently struggled to start the tournament strong, with Auburn also losing to Yale in the previous year’s opener. This raises questions about whether Auburn has the mental toughness and energy to compete against top-tier opponents.
“We need to play a lot better to beat Creighton on Saturday,” Coach Pearl said after the game. The Blue Jays’ size advantage on both the perimeter and inside could prove difficult for Auburn, who were criticized for lack of focus at halftime. Transfer Miles Kelly’s seven 3-pointers in the first half are a stark contrast to Auburn’s own shooting woes, with the team struggling from the free-throw line.
Chad Baker-Mazara’s subpar performance also raises concerns about his mental preparedness for big games. After being ejected in the previous game, CBM struggled again, choosing to slow down rather than push the pace when called upon by Coach Pearl.
Auburn’s next matchup against Creighton is crucial. Can they overcome their early-game struggles and bring their A-game against the Blue Jays? Or will this team continue to sleepwalk through tournament games, leaving fans and critics alike wondering what went wrong?
Source: https://www.al.com/auburnbasketball/2025/03/goodman-for-auburn-its-time-to-wake-up-and-play-basketball.html