As midnight had fallen outside of Auburn Arena, one student yelled for everyone to take shots. Another celebrated a birthday.
Dozens of campers had set up their temporary homes all throughout The Village in order to get front row seats to Saturday’s basketball game. Jungle Village had residents again.
At midnight, the temperature was 46 degrees. It was going to get as low as 43 by sunrise at six, but for those dedicated to camping out, it did not matter.
Some had tents for two, four or well over 10. Some simply laid on the ground, covered in blankets from their dorms or homes. Guthrie’s chicken take-out bags rolled like tumbleweeds in the midnight air and Gatorade bottles surrounded the shanty camp.
This is the new tradition in Auburn. Rolling Toomer’s Corner with toilet paper may be the most well-known Auburn affair, or the eagle fly over at football games. But Jungle Village may be making its way as the newest and most exciting tradition on The Plains.
Auburn is the No. 1 basketball team in the nation, and fans are treating it as such. Fans sitting on top of desk chairs and lawn chairs alike are willing to brace the cold Alabama nights in order to be up close and personal with the team that has propelled Auburn to heights never before seen.
College GameDay was in town, set to broadcast from inside of Auburn Arena. One of its hosts, LaPhonso Ellis, spoke highly of Auburn’s fervor for hoops on Friday.
“I absolutely love it,” Ellis said. “It is fun to see so many people show up outside a basketball game. The buy in from the community and the fans here make it a very special place."
Another of College GameDay’s hosts, Seth Greenberg, echoed the sentiment of the former Notre Dame star.
"It is absolutely huge,” Greenberg said on The Jungle. “When the students are basically sitting on the court, it creates a more intimate atmosphere."
Who knows if any of the fans will sleep. They certainly did not before Kentucky, and everyone knows how that turned out.
When the sun rises on Lee County on Saturday, Auburn fans will be ready. They were ready at two in the afternoon when the first fans started showing up and they will be ready at game time.
A new Wordle came out at midnight. A student shouted to his buddies to check their phones for it. Maybe that will keep the Jungle City residents occupied for a little.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
Henry Zimmer is from Jacksonville, Florida, and is currently in his fifth year with The Plainsman. He is currently the Assistant Sports Editor and can be followed on Twitter here: @henryzimmer
