March Madness 2023: Has Auburn ever played in Birmingham?
Auburn basketball will be playing in the 2023 March Madness tournament, marking the fourth appearance for the Tigers in the last five tournaments. The 2020 field of 64 was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Selection Sunday, Auburn was named as the No. 9 seed in the Midwest Region opposite Iowa in the first round.
Auburn will play Iowa on Thursday, March 16 at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham.
Has Auburn basketball ever played in Birmingham for March Madness?
As On3’s Justin Hokanson revealed via Twitter on March 12, this will not be the first rodeo in the Magic City for Auburn basketball for March Madness:
Auburn's played one NCAA Tournament game in Birmingham. It was a 1986 Sweet 16 loss to North Carolina by six points.
— Justin Hokanson (@_JHokanson) March 12, 2023
Who is in Auburn’s bracket?
If Auburn could get past Iowa in the first round, the Tigers have a potential matchup with either No. 1 seed Houston or No. 16 Northern Kentucky.
Unless there’s some UMBC magic in the air and the Cougars pull their best Virginia impression, Houston will be the next challenge up should the Tigers take care of business against the Hawkeyes.
Who would Auburn play in the Sweet 16?
If Auburn defeats Iowa and Houston/Northern Kentucky, the Tigers would face any of the following teams in the Sweet 16: Miami, Drake, Kent State, or Indiana.
What is the lowest seed to ever win in March Madness?
Auburn fans may not like to hear this, but the lowest seed to ever win a March Madness tournament was a No. 8 seed. It only happened once: Villanova in 1986.
With that said, the Tigers could be a team of history. Despite Auburn’s measly 20-12 record, AU has the talent to knock off teams like Tennessee and Missouri. With the added element of neutral-site chaos, a group that has been forged in fire via high-profile games the past two seasons stands a chance under the bright lights against just about every team in the field.