Auburn fans have experienced several heartbreaking outcomes in recent years during the Iron Bowl, whether on the gridiron or in the IBOB, which has become one of college basketball's fiercest rivalry games.
Saturday's final regular-season game at the Neville Arena was the latest, and it uniquely stung due to the deja vu.
Mark Sears was the hero for the Crimson Tide, driving to his left and hitting a floater over Denver Jones to give Alabama a 93-91 win and hand Auburn its fourth loss of the season, and second straight.
That wasn't the original play designed. Nate Oats was trying to scheme an open look for Labaron Philon, who de-committed from Auburn in April 2023.
Instead, Sears called his own number and hit a left-handed runner over Denver Jones.
AL.com's Joseph Goodman pointed out the similarities between "Sears at the buzzer" and the 2023 Iron Bowl's 4th and 31 game-winning touchdown pass from Jalen Milroe to Isaiah Bond.
"Alabama 93, Auburn 91 on Saturday was an all-timer. The outcome didn’t affect the standings, but maybe that made it even better. For the love of the game. For the hate of a rival. Last shot wins," Goodman wrote.
"The buzzer-beater by Alabama’s Mark Sears will go down as a legendary dagger to end the greatest regular season in Auburn basketball history. Rivalries just don’t get any better. It felt like the 2023 Iron Bowl all over again.
"That game ended with a prayer from Alabama quarterback Jalen Milore to receiver Isaiah Bond on fourth and forever. This was one was all Sears after calling an audible for himself."
A decade after the Kick Six, Alabama got its lick back on the football field. And just a week after Tennessee hit a game-winner over the Tide in a 79-76 classic that won the SEC regular season championship for the Tigers, Alabama got the last laugh of the season over Auburn. Several Tigers players were laughing about it and singing "Rocky Top" the week prior after Jahmai Mashack's deep three-pointer.
4th and 31 led to an SEC title and College Football Playoff berth for the Crimson Tide in 2023.
We'll see where this latest Alabama triumph/Auburn heartbreak leads.