Alabama Upset Over Auburn Shuffles AP Top-25 Rankings: Duke Blue Devils New No. 1?

The college basketball season is always filled with drama, and the stakes are higher than ever as the postseason draws near. The latest twist in this thrilling season came when the Alabama Crimson Tide pulled off an overtime upset over the Auburn Tigers on March 8, 2025, dramatically shaking up the AP Top 25 rankings and opening the door for the Duke Blue Devils to claim the coveted No. 1 spot.

The Alabama-Auburn Showdown: A Thriller for the Ages

The game between Alabama and Auburn was set up to be one of the marquee matchups of the college basketball season. The two teams had been battling for supremacy in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and both entered the game with high hopes of not just winning the league title but securing a top seeding in the NCAA Tournament. Auburn, ranked No. 1 at the time, was looking to solidify its status as the best team in the country, while Alabama, ranked No. 7, had already proven itself to be a dangerous and capable opponent.

The game did not disappoint.

The battle between the Crimson Tide and the Tigers was nothing short of a college basketball spectacle, filled with late-game heroics, momentum swings, and, ultimately, an overtime thriller. Alabama came out victorious, earning a 93-91 win that sent shockwaves through the SEC and the entire college basketball world.

The game was a rollercoaster from start to finish. Auburn looked like it might hold on to its top ranking after a late push in regulation, but Alabama dug deep and found a way to win. The decisive moment came in the final moments of overtime when Alabama’s Mark Sears hit a clutch 15-foot floater with just a few seconds left on the clock, sealing the game for the Crimson Tide.

Alabama’s Grant Nelson led the charge with 23 points and 8 rebounds, and Labaron Philon and Clifford Omoruyi added 15 points apiece. On the other side, Auburn’s Johni Broome had an incredible game, scoring a career-high 34 points. However, despite Broome’s heroic performance, it wasn’t enough to stop Alabama’s surge in the extra period.

While the loss was heartbreaking for Auburn, it was a game that showed Alabama’s resilience and its ability to rise to the occasion. This victory was a huge statement win for the Crimson Tide, propelling them to the forefront of the SEC title race and raising their profile heading into the final stretch of the season.

The Auburn Fallout: A Tumultuous Week for the Tigers

Auburn’s loss to Alabama was not the only setback the Tigers experienced. A few days later, they were defeated by Texas A&M, which further complicated their standing as the No. 1 team in the country. While the Tigers had been dominant for most of the season, this recent losing streak raised questions about their ability to handle the pressure at the top of the rankings.

One of the most controversial aspects of Auburn’s recent slide was their emotional post-game celebration following a win against Kentucky earlier in the season. The Tigers’ exuberant “belt-whipping” celebration, which some perceived as a championship-like display, rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. In retrospect, it now seems like a tone-deaf move considering the struggles the team has faced in the past week.

Auburn’s loss to Alabama, combined with their subsequent defeat to Texas A&M, caused their stock to plummet in the AP rankings. The Tigers’ fall from No. 1 to a more vulnerable spot in the rankings was inevitable, but it raised questions about their ability to bounce back as they entered the final stages of the season.

While Auburn has the talent to recover, this recent stretch of poor performances has left fans and analysts alike wondering if the Tigers can regain their previous form before the NCAA Tournament. For now, they will have to accept that the top spot in the AP rankings has slipped out of their grasp.

Duke’s Rise: The New No. 1 Team in the Country

In the wake of Auburn’s recent struggles, a familiar face has ascended to the No. 1 spot in the AP rankings: the Duke Blue Devils. Under the guidance of head coach Jon Scheyer, Duke has quietly put together one of the most impressive seasons in recent memory. Their consistency, depth, and balance have made them a formidable force, and with Auburn faltering, the Blue Devils were able to claim the top spot.

Duke’s rise to No. 1 is not a fluke. The Blue Devils have been on a tear, winning their last 12 games and securing the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Tournament title. Their 78-63 victory over NC State in the final cemented their claim to the top spot. The win was a testament to the Blue Devils’ ability to perform under pressure, and their well-rounded roster, led by star forward Kyle Filipowski, has made them a serious title contender.

Filipowski has been a standout player for Duke all season, averaging a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds per game. He has been the focal point of the Blue Devils’ offense, and his ability to control the paint and stretch the floor makes him a nightmare for opposing defenses. Alongside Filipowski, Duke boasts a balanced supporting cast, including sharpshooter Jeremy Roach and versatile forward Tyrese Proctor.

Duke’s defensive prowess is another reason for their success. The Blue Devils rank among the top teams in the nation in defensive efficiency, and their ability to lock down opposing offenses has been a key factor in their recent winning streak. With the combination of Filipowski’s scoring, Roach’s leadership, and their stingy defense, Duke looks poised for a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

Looking Ahead: The NCAA Tournament Picture

The shakeup in the AP rankings has set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the college basketball season. With Duke now at No. 1, the path to the NCAA Tournament will be filled with high stakes, as teams like Alabama, Auburn, and others will be gunning for the top spots.

For Duke, the pressure is now on to maintain their position as the No. 1 team in the country. With a strong finish to the regular season and a deep run in the ACC Tournament, the Blue Devils are poised to be a top seed in the NCAA Tournament. However, they will face stiff competition from other top teams, including Alabama, who has proven that it can beat anyone on any given day.

Alabama’s recent victory over Auburn, along with their overall play this season, has put them in a great position to make a deep run in the tournament. The Crimson Tide have the talent, coaching, and momentum to challenge Duke for the national title. Head coach Nate Oats has done an excellent job building a dynamic and versatile team, and Alabama’s combination of offense and defense makes them a team to watch.

Auburn, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly if they are to remain a legitimate title contender. The Tigers’ back-to-back losses have raised questions about their mental toughness and ability to handle adversity. However, they have the talent to bounce back, and with a few adjustments, they could still make a deep run in the tournament.

Other teams, such as Kansas, Purdue, and Gonzaga, are also positioned to make a push for the top seeds in the tournament. As the regular season draws to a close, the competition for No. 1 seeds will only intensify.

The Road to March Madness

As we head into the final stretch of the college basketball season, the AP Top 25 rankings have been shaken up by Alabama’s thrilling upset over Auburn and Duke’s rise to No. 1. The tournament is wide open, and teams across the country are jockeying for position as they prepare for the madness of March.

For Duke, the No. 1 ranking is a testament to their consistency and dominance, but it comes with added pressure. For Alabama, the upset over Auburn has vaulted them into the conversation as a potential national champion. Auburn, meanwhile, will need to regroup if they are to live up to their early-season promise.