This year’s Auburn basketball season has been nothing short of a roller coaster for players, coaches, and fans alike. First-year head coach Steven Pearl was thrown into the fire from the start, stepping in after the sudden retirement of his father and former head coach Bruce Pearl. The younger Pearl has had to manage a completely rebuilt roster coming off a Final Four run. On top of that, Auburn opened the season with the toughest non-conference schedule in program history and has battled through one of college basketball’s most demanding conferences in the SEC.
With just seven regular-season games remaining, the Tigers sit 11th in the SEC at 14-10 overall (5-6 in conference play). After dropping their first two SEC games, Auburn earned a home win over No. 15 Arkansas and went on a four-game winning streak that included Missouri, South Carolina, Ole Miss, and a statement road win at No. 16 Florida. Since then, the Tigers have struggled, losing three straight, most recently at home to No. 19 Vanderbilt.
Tiger' lowlights
Despite flashes of dominance — like the Florida game and the Texas matchup — Auburn has struggled with consistency. Most losses feature scoring slumps and defensive breakdowns, including missed threes and giving up open looks from beyond the arc. The Tigers currently rank in the bottom five of the SEC in assist-to-turnover ratio, assists per game, field goal percentage defense and scoring defense, all contributing to a shaky season.
One of the season’s lowlights has been sophomore Tahaad Pettiford. Coming off a breakout freshman campaign, he has struggled this year, contributing to Auburn’s inconsistency. Pettiford is shooting just 37.2% from the field and 26.5% from three, highlighting the offensive struggles the Tigers have faced in key moments.
Tigers' bright spots
Even amid the ups and downs, Auburn has plenty of reasons for optimism. Senior transfer Keyshawn Hall has been the team’s standout, averaging 20.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, making him one of the few players in Division I in that category and a top scorer and rebounder in the SEC. The Tigers have leaned on his consistent scoring and ability to get to the free‑throw line all season, and he’ll be even more crucial down the stretch as their go‑to player. Hall has multiple double‑doubles this season, and he’s delivered big performances in key games, including strong scoring and rebounding efforts early in the season and against top competition.
Despite the gauntlet of a schedule, Coach Steven Pearl has also been a bright spot. In his first 24 games, he is 5–3 against former Final Four coaches. His win over No. 14 St. John’s made him Auburn’s fastest first-year head coach to beat a ranked opponent. Even with a rebuilt roster, he’s kept Auburn in contention against elite competition.
Looking ahead
The Tigers now turn to No. 21 Arkansas, looking to get back in the win column. The final stretch of the season will be crucial, as Auburn fights to secure an NCAA Tournament spot. With winnable matchups against LSU, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and Mississippi State still on the schedule, every game becomes vital for improving their resume and climbing back into projected seedings. Despite the season’s ups and downs, the Tigers continue to battle and have plenty to build on as they push toward March.