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Top-Seed Auburn to Open vs. First Four Winner Alabama State
Auburn, the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, now knows its first-round opponent in the South Region: in-state foe Alabama State, which earned its spot with a dramatic First Four victory over St. Francis (Pa.) on Tuesday night.
Alabama State Seeks Historic Upset
The Hornets (20-15) extended their winning streak to seven games with a thrilling 70-68 victory, sealed by Amarr Knox’s last-second layup off a deflected length-of-the-floor pass. Alabama State is now 11-1 in its last 12 games and faces the monumental task of becoming just the third No. 16 seed to defeat a No. 1 seed, following UMBC’s 2018 upset of Virginia and Fairleigh Dickinson’s shocking win over Purdue in 2023.
“I know we’re going to enjoy this tonight. … How can you beat that for a school in the SWAC that has a lot of great tradition for us to go play at Rupp Arena?” — Tony Madlock
For Alabama State to have any chance at a Cinderella moment, it will need a faster start than it had against St. Francis while maintaining the defensive intensity that fueled its comeback. The Hornets will also lean on Knox, who averages 14.3 points per game, and their ability to protect the ball, ranking seventh in Division I with just 8.7 turnovers per game.
Auburn Ready to Make a Statement
The Tigers (28-5) enter the tournament as one of the nation’s most complete teams, boasting experience, depth, and quickness. Despite dropping three of their last four games—including a 70-65 loss to Tennessee in the SEC Tournament semifinals—Auburn remains a top title contender.
“I look back at our last 10. We’re 7-3 in our last 10 games. You can’t push the panic button when you lose to three top (25) teams in the country.” — Stephen Pearl
Auburn is led by national Player of the Year candidate Johni Broome, a dominant 6-foot-10 senior averaging 18.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.3 blocks per game. Broome has been exceptional down the stretch, averaging 26.7 points per game over the last three contests, including a 23-point effort against Tennessee.
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While Auburn typically features a deep rotation, offensive production beyond Broome has dipped recently. Only two other players scored in double figures against Tennessee, and just six players contributed points—an unusual occurrence for a squad that regularly relies on nine men.
Key Matchup Factors
Auburn’s ability to force turnovers and dominate the paint could overwhelm Alabama State, but the Hornets’ disciplined ball-handling and recent hot streak make them an intriguing underdog. If Alabama State can keep the game close early and force Auburn into an inefficient offensive performance, the Tigers may have to work harder than expected.
For those looking at March Madness predictions, this game presents an interesting contrast between a tournament-tested powerhouse and a scrappy underdog aiming to make history.
