The Auburn Tigers’ journey to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four has been a remarkable story of perseverance, growth, and ultimate success. While Auburn has a storied basketball program with various ups and downs over the years, the last time the Tigers made it to the Final Four was during the 2018-2019 NCAA Tournament. Their journey to that Final Four was one of the most exhilarating and historic runs in Auburn basketball history, capturing the imagination of fans, students, and alumni alike. Let’s dive deep into that magical run, the significance of their achievement, and how it stands as a pivotal moment in Auburn’s basketball history.
The Road to the 2018-2019 Final Four
Auburn’s basketball team had been building something special over the years, especially under the leadership of head coach Bruce Pearl. When Pearl took over the program in 2014, he inherited a team that had not been relevant on the national scene for many years. The Tigers had made only a handful of NCAA Tournament appearances in the previous decades, with the most recent one being in 2003. But under Pearl’s leadership, Auburn began to turn things around.
By the 2018-2019 season, the Tigers had already demonstrated they were a force to be reckoned with in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and on the national stage. Pearl’s system, which emphasized up-tempo play, tough defense, and unselfish ball movement, was starting to click. The team had several standout players, including future NBA talent like Jared Harper and Bryce Brown, as well as other key contributors like Chuma Okeke, Anfernee McLemore, and Malik Dunbar.
Auburn’s season had been an impressive one, culminating in a strong showing in the SEC Tournament. Despite a few setbacks throughout the season, the Tigers were poised to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Auburn’s regular season record was 26-9, and they finished 2nd in the SEC standings. They were seeded as a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament, setting up a challenging but not impossible path to the Final Four.
The NCAA Tournament Begins: The Sweet Sixteen to Final Four
In the first round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament, Auburn took on the No. 12 seed, New Mexico State. The Tigers managed to fend off a tough challenge from the Aggies, winning 78-77 in a thrilling game that was decided in the closing seconds. The win set the stage for what would become one of the most thrilling tournaments in Auburn’s history.
In the second round, Auburn faced the No. 4 seed, Kansas. Kansas had long been a power in college basketball, and many experts expected the Jayhawks to advance. However, Auburn’s defense and fast-paced style proved to be too much for Kansas. The Tigers pulled off an upset with a 89-75 victory, led by strong performances from Jared Harper and Bryce Brown. This win was a clear statement that Auburn was a legitimate contender for the Final Four.
The next test for Auburn came in the Sweet Sixteen, where they would face the No. 1 seed in the Midwest region: the North Carolina Tar Heels. North Carolina had one of the most talented teams in the country, with future NBA stars like Coby White and Nassir Little, but Auburn had momentum on its side. Despite being the underdog, the Tigers executed a perfect game plan and played with relentless energy. Auburn outplayed the Tar Heels in almost every aspect of the game, particularly with their shooting and defense. The Tigers ultimately won 97-80 in a game that was a complete upset, given that North Carolina was one of the favorites to win the tournament. Auburn’s performance in this game was a major breakthrough for the program and solidified their place in the Elite Eight.
With this win, Auburn was one step away from the Final Four, but they would face another major challenge in the Elite Eight: the No. 2 seed Kentucky Wildcats. Kentucky, led by coach John Calipari, was a powerhouse, featuring NBA-bound players like PJ Washington and Tyler Herro. The Wildcats were heavily favored, but Auburn’s players had grown into their roles and were determined to defy the odds once again.
In a back-and-forth battle, Auburn found themselves down by several points late in the game, but their tenacity and never-say-die attitude were on full display. With just seconds left in regulation, Auburn had a chance to tie the game and send it into overtime. Jared Harper made a clutch three-pointer, and the game was extended. But the real drama came in the final moments of the game, when Auburn’s defense locked down Kentucky’s offense, and with a few key free throws, the Tigers secured the victory, winning 77-71. The win sent Auburn to the Final Four for the first time in school history.
The Final Four: Auburn vs. Virginia
Auburn’s incredible run to the Final Four was a historic achievement, but the Tigers weren’t done yet. Their Final Four opponent was the Virginia Cavaliers, who had also made an improbable journey to Minneapolis, where the Final Four was held. Virginia, coached by Tony Bennett, was known for its stifling defense and methodical offense, making them a difficult matchup for any team.
The Final Four matchup between Auburn and Virginia was a classic example of contrasting styles. Auburn’s up-tempo offense and three-point shooting clashed with Virginia’s slow, defensive-minded approach. The game was tightly contested throughout, with both teams battling hard on both ends of the floor. Jared Harper and Bryce Brown were playing their best basketball of the season, but Virginia’s defense made it difficult for Auburn to get clean looks. Chuma Okeke, one of Auburn’s key players, was playing a major role, contributing on both offense and defense.
However, late in the game, with Auburn holding a slim lead, disaster struck. Chuma Okeke, one of the best players on the team, suffered a knee injury, which was later diagnosed as a torn ACL. This was a massive blow to the Tigers, as Okeke had been a pivotal figure in their success throughout the tournament. Despite the injury, Auburn fought on, but they ultimately fell short in a heartbreaking fashion.
In the final moments of the game, with Auburn trailing by two points, Virginia’s Kyle Guy was fouled on a three-point attempt. Guy calmly sank all three free throws, pushing Virginia’s lead to five. Auburn had one last opportunity, but their attempt to tie the game fell short. Auburn lost to Virginia 63-62, ending their historic run one game short of the national championship.
The Aftermath and Legacy of Auburn’s Final Four Run
Despite falling just short of the national championship, Auburn’s 2019 Final Four run remains one of the greatest achievements in the history of Auburn basketball. The Tigers had made it to the Final Four for the first time ever, and they did so by defeating some of the most storied programs in college basketball. The win over Kentucky in the Elite Eight, in particular, was a moment that will be remembered for years to come.
The 2019 run also had a profound impact on the program’s future. Bruce Pearl, the head coach, solidified his place as one of the best coaches in college basketball. The Tigers’ success on the national stage raised the profile of the Auburn basketball program and generated renewed interest and support from fans and alumni.
Auburn’s Final Four appearance also had a ripple effect on recruiting. Pearl and his staff were able to attract more talent to Auburn, setting the stage for future success. The Tigers’ performance in 2019 showed that Auburn could compete at the highest level of college basketball, and this realization opened doors for top recruits to consider the school as a viable option for their collegiate careers.
The legacy of the 2019 Final Four run is still felt today. Although Auburn has not reached the same heights in the NCAA Tournament since, the Tigers have remained competitive, continuing to build on the foundation that Pearl and his team established. The run to the Final Four became a symbol of Auburn’s potential and the kind of success that the basketball program could sustain.
The 2019 NCAA Tournament was a historic moment for Auburn University and its basketball program. Their journey to the Final Four, and their subsequent near-miss in the semifinal game, was a testament to the team’s resilience, talent, and determination. While the Tigers may not have won the national championship that year, their accomplishment remains a proud moment in the history of Auburn athletics.
As Auburn continues to build on the foundation of that 2019 Final Four appearance, the hope is that the program will one day go even further. But no matter what happens in the future, Auburn’s 2018-2019 Final Four run will always be remembered as a defining moment in the history of the Tigers’ basketball program. It was the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and belief in a system that transformed Auburn basketball from an afterthought into a powerhouse.
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