Somehow, someway, the Auburn Tigers are not dead yet when it comes to making the NCAA Tournament. After having lost seven of their last eight games, including an unthinkable one at home to Ole Miss in a Quad 3 defeat, Auburn is still in the mix to make March Madness. Even though ESPN's Joe Lunardi had some things to say about Bruce Pearl's take on Miami (OH), he still has them in this.
In Tuesday morning's Bracketology update, Lunardi dropped Auburn like a bad habit. The Tigers went from the first team grouped with the last four in, to being the first team listed among the first four out. Auburn finds itself behind Santa Clara, Ohio State, New Mexico, and Indiana as the last four in. Behind Auburn among the first four out are San Diego State, VCU, and Virginia Tech. How are they still in this?
On the season, Auburn is a frustrating 15-14 overall and a disappointing 6-10 in SEC play. Although they have played such a brutal schedule, with more than half of their games being of Quad 1 distinction, they are only 5-11 in said games. Having wins over Arkansas, Florida, and Kentucky in SEC play are really boosting Steve Pearl's team. The same thing applies to St. John's and NC State.
Now that we know where the bar has been set, what all must Auburn do to make the field of 68 now?
Auburn finds itself on the outside looking in at an NCAA Tournament bid
At this time, Auburn has to view its next game vs. LSU as a must-win. This is a Quad 2 home game Auburn has to have! Otherwise, the Tigers either need to go on a deep run in the SEC Tournament, or shockingly win the whole thing... After that, Auburn must play arch nemesis Alabama on the road in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide will be coming off a tough road game at tournament-bound Georgia.
With a NET rating of 38, Auburn is right there in and around the cut line to make it in as one of the last at-large teams. Again, a daunting schedule will work in their favor. That being said, it is hard to justify a borderline-.500 team out of the SEC making the field of 68 in most estimations. Not all schedules are created equally. However, it just goes to show that Pearl seems to have bit of more than he can chew.
Replacing a legend from within is one thing. Replacing that same legend who happens to be your father is a totally different animal. While Pearl thought he could have coasted off his father's team's success into this new era of Auburn basketball, it is going to be a grind for the Tigers to even make the tournament this year. Maybe it will take wins over LSU and Alabama to pose this real possibility?
Lunardi could have knocked Auburn down even more, but he still has the Tigers within reach of it.