Auburn Tigers head coach Butch Thompson meant well with what were supposed to be reassuring words for the fanbase following a shocking 13-8 loss in the NCAA Regionals to the Milwaukee Panthers at Plainsman Park. Thompson wanted to flex a winning mindset from a team whose backs are against the wall.
Unfortunately, Thompson highlighted a recurring issue within his program since his hiring in 2016: Auburn hasn't won the SEC Tournament at the Hoover Met in the Thompson era. Thompson touted an SEC Tournament mindset for his team, which, given the circumstances, feels worrisome.
"Thankfully, they haven't played a lot of those, especially from the pitching side," Thompson said of his team going down big early and requiring him to empty the bullpen. "That was a little unique for our guys. They've absolutely done it all year long, and this is like our SEC tournament now. We've turned this immediately into the SEC tournament and single elimination.Â
"I really want to see our best here, and was expecting that today. But some young guys, first time in the postseason there and just didn't get off to a good start. Kept competing all the way to the end, but this time of year, you have to play great. You have to make plays and do some things like that."
Milwaukee went up 4-0 early in the first inning and never looked back, building a double-digit lead by the middle of the fourth. It was a stunning performance from Tigers ace Jake Marciano, who was out of the game by the second inning after giving up six earned runs on eight hits. The Panthers hit 8/16 with runners in scoring position. During the season, Milwaukee was six games below .500 and only qualified for the NCAA Regionals by winning the Horizon League Championship. The Panthers knocked off the Wright State Raiders in the championship game. Sometimes, it's about being hot.
On the flip side, sometimes it's about being cold. The Tigers were 3-4 heading into the Milwaukee game. Now, Auburn must reverse its fortunes quickly to avoid any unwarranted Thompson hot-seat talk. Thompson was a hot-seat candidate in 2025 and could be right back on with a shocking collapse in the NCAA Regionals.
READ MORE: Butch Thompson wasn't overlooking Milwaukee before shocking collapse
What does Auburn need to do to advance to the Men's College World Series?
It could take four games for the Tigers to make the Men's World Series if there's an undefeated team by Monday. Right now, that team very well could be the Panthers, though the NC State Wolfpack or UCF Knights will have a say about that.
Thompson's teams have only been able to string together back-to-back wins in the SEC Tournament, never reaching three, let alone four. To say it's nerve-racking to think AU will have to do something the program has never done under its current leader to advance is an understatement. Then again, the Tigers entered 2026 having never won it all and have made it this far.
History changes. We'll see if Thompson's Auburn squad can change it over the next several days.
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