It's the first day of March Madness for head coach Bruce Pearl and the Auburn basketball team. The Tigers will face their first opponent— Alabama State— in Lexington, Kentucky, where they had a historic win over the Kentucky Wildcats in the regular season.
However, the Tigers have lost three of their last four matchups heading into the tournament, and doubters have begun to overlook Auburn. The No. 1 overall seed, the Tigers are looking to take care of business over Alabama State.
The Hornets are coming off a thrilling win in the First Four, where they beat Saint Francis in the final moments of the game with a Hail Mary pass across the court and a quick layup at the buzzer. It was the Hornets' first-ever win in the NCAA Tournament. Here is what Pearl and his team had to say about today's matchup.
Denver Jones' message to those thinking Auburn peaked too soon, per Auburn Rivals:
“We're all on social media as well. We see what they say about us. I feel like we're going to go out there and play with a chip on our shoulder, man. I feel like we've got a lot of older, mature people. Honestly, our freshman, too. He's one of the most competitive guys I know. We're all about to go out there with a chip on our shoulder and try to prove a point.”
Pearl on the doubt Auburn is facing after recent losses, per Auburn Undercover:
"Since we left Lexington, three weeks ago, where we won the regular season championship, we've lost three out of our last four games, at Texas A&M who is a 4-seed, Alabama at home at the buzzer, who is a 2-seed, and then at Tennessee in the SEC Tournament in Nashville, in pretty close to a last-possession-type game. I think when you are playing team of that caliber, you've got to make shots, you gotta make free throws, you gotta make layups, you gotta do simple plays. We didn't do some of those things in those losses. I don't think it affects our confidence. I think that we're — we're prepared. But that stuff, even if we had won all those games, it doesn't mean anything. Doesn't mean anything tomorrow at 2:50. This team is prepared. This team is confident."
Chaney Johnson reflecting on the loss to Yale a year ago, per Auburn Rivals:
"We don't want this happening again. We came out and -- it was a close game from start to finish. I feel like we lost that game instead of Yale beating us."
Miles Kelly on facing Alabama State, per AL.com:
“I mean, Alabama State, they’re a great team. They have really great guards up front. We just got to stick to our principal, stick to our scouting report and really just lock in. This moment is super special. It is my first March Madness, my first tournament, so I just can’t wait to get out there. I’m just trying to soak it all in and get ready for the game.”
The Tigers and the Hornets tipoff from Lexington at 1:50 p.m. central time.