Auburn basketball: 5 potential unsung March Madness heroes

Potential Auburn basketball March Madness hero #4: Allen Flanigan

Allen Flanigan has not had the same impact on the Tigers as he’d like to following his return to action from an Achilles injury, and he has been noticeably frustrated on the floor at times about it.

That said, Flanigan was a starter during the team’s dominant 2019-20 start that ended in a season suspension, and helped hold the fort down during a difficult 2020-21 season with Sharife Cooper absent for much of it.

A return to a starring role during a time when the Tigers need him most would be storybook after losing his role for reasons beyond his control.

Potential Auburn basketball March Madness hero #5: Jaylin Williams

A lot of the same concepts apply to Jaylin Williams, though he lost his role because of the arrival of two 5-star recruits in Walker Kessler (via UNC and the transfer portal) and freshman phenom Jabari Smith.

He too was a starter last season, meaning veteran experience could lead to big moments off the bench. As one of the best athletes in the frontcourt, he could be a dominant force against overmatched low-seeded teams.

His 3-point shot has been a work in progress this season, but if that work pays off in March, it will be beyond well worth the misses.