The top-seeded Tigers are set to face in-state foe Alabama State in their opening round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday, March 19 in Rupp Arena. Our sports staff answered a few questions about Auburn's Round of 64 clash in the Bluegrass state.
What are your general thoughts on Auburn's postseason path?
Patrick Bingham, Sports Editor: "In theory Auburn is the No. 1 overall seed and will be better than any opponent it faces. That being said it's March so the Tigers will need the 'step up' Bruce Pearl has talked about to make a run."
Grace Heim, Assistant Sports Editor: "Hopeful. I think the Tigers have as good of a shot as ever to make a deep run with this team. In March just about making shots when it matters most."
Logan Fowler, Sports Reporter: "I think it's pretty favorable. Auburn is as battle-tested as anyone. The Tigers could have some interesting second weekend matchups if they make it out of Lexington, KY."
Charlie Diegnan, Sports Writer: "Despite being the No. 1 overall seed, the Tigers got the short end of the stick from the selection committee. Michigan St, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, and Michigan are all extremely high-caliber teams that could win the tournament if they get the right matchups. Auburn has defeated seeds 1-4 in the Midwest Region in the regular season, and it seems like they'd be a more fitting No. 1 seed than Houston, considering their overall seeding in the tournament. Despite this, Auburn has arguably their best team in program history and will be incredibly hard to stop in the South region if they play the brand of basketball they have been all season. "
Rory Garvin, Sports Writer: "Auburn received a harder draw than anticipated as the No. 1 overall seed. A region that features Michigan State, Texas A&M, Louisville, Creighton and etc. is not a cakewalk. If Auburn goes on to beat Alabama State in the opening round it will face the winner of Louisville and Creighton. In the recent AP poll, the Cardinals jumped all the way up to No. 10 in the country. Many are pondering how the supposedly No. 10 team in the nation received an eight seed in the tournament. On top of that, Rupp Arena will be filled with Louisville fans as the arena is a one hour drive from their campus. Creighton is led by four-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year Ryan Kalkbrenner. Auburn would not be pleased to match up with the big man in the round of 32.
"If the Tigers advance to the Sweet 16 they could meet some familiar faces. If the slipper once again fits for the Yale Bulldogs they would be on a collision course with Auburn, how would that be for dramatics! If Yale takes an early exit, the Tigers could be in for a rematch with Texas A&M who they fell to 83-72 in College Station, TX earlier this year. As if this region couldn’t get any tougher, Auburn could potentially face Michigan State and March legend Tom Izzo with a trip to the final four on the line. With that being said, this is the most talented roster in Auburn basketball history and they are well prepared to make history."
Is Alabama State a real threat?
Patrick Bingham, Sports Editor: "Nope."
Grace Heim, Assistant Sports Editor: "No. 16-seeds just don't win these games often."
Logan Fowler, Sports Reporter: "Alabama State ranks the lowest in any metric system of any opponent the Tigers have faced all season. Auburn should win comfortably."
Charlie Diegnan, Sports Writer: "Short answer: No. Alabama State went 16-15 in regular season play and only made the NCAA tournament because they won the SWAC tournament, where they won all three games by five points or less. In their First Four matchup against St. Francis, a team that went 16-17 in the regular season and only made the NCAA tournament because they too won their conference tournament, the Hornets won on a last-second full-court heave that found Amarr Knox under the rim for an easy layup with 0.7 seconds left on the clock. Auburn is too well-rounded for Alabama State to keep up with, and while the Hornets will leave Lexington earlier than they hope for, they will at least be leaving with a sense of pride for making it that far."
Rory Garvin, Sports Writer: "16 seeds hold an all time record of 2-154 against No. 1’s in the big dance and the Hornets aren’t going to improve that. Alabama State finished their regular season campaign with an ugly 16-15 record and if it wasn’t for three straight victories to win the SWAC tournament they would not have received a bid to Dayton for the First Four. In order for the Hornets to get the opportunity to play the No. 1 overall seed Auburn Tigers, it took a miracle hail mary type play at the buzzer to beat a 16-18 Saint Francis (PA) squad. This one is going to be a physical mismatch from tipoff to final buzzer, and Vegas agrees as Auburn is favored by 32 points."
Other than Johni Broome, who else needs to step up in March?
Patrick Bingham, Sports Editor: "Chaney Johnson. He hit a few 3-pointers in Nashville, TN last weekend so we'll see if the Tigers' 'hardest worker' can bounce back from a tough month of March."
Grace Heim, Assistant Sports Editor: "Miles Kelly. Fittingly enough, the Georgia Tech transfer returns to the site where he dropped 30 points a few weeks ago. The Tigers might not need that much production, but he'll be crucial in Auburn's postseason run."
Logan Fowler, Sports Reporter: "I'll go with Chaney Johnson. Johnson is on his longest stretch without scoring in the double figures all season — not hitting the mark once in March. The Tigers will need Johnson to stay out of foul trouble and contribute if they are to make a deep run."
Charlie Diegnan, Sports Writer: "Chad Baker-Mazara. While everyone is familiar with CBM's antics, fans are equally familiar with what he is capable of offensively and defensively. Baker-Mazara has the opportunity to play Robin to Johni Broome's Batman if he can keep his cool and stretch the floor like he has all season long. His role on the free-throw line, where Auburn has struggled as of late, and his quick hands could turn a game upside down with free points from the charity strike and in transition."
Rory Garvin, Sports Writer: "Tahaad Pettiford. If Auburn plans on making a run in the tournament their freshman star needs to show up. Pettiford is coming off the worst game of his collegiate career, shooting a combined 0-for-13 from the field and three in the SEC Tournament semis. That is very surprising as he has been one of Auburn’s key players, scoring fifteen points or more nine times this season off the bench. Auburn is at its best when the freshman sensation is making shots in transition. If Pettiford can get back to his regular season ways the Tigers are built for a historic run."
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