Auburn Coach Believes Team 'Deserves to be in the Tournament'

Tigers' coach and players argue Auburn's resume is worthy of an NCAA Tournament bid despite late-season struggles.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 11:12pm

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Auburn head coach Steven Pearl believes his team deserves a spot in the NCAA Tournament, despite the Tigers' 17-16 record and early exit from the SEC Tournament. Pearl highlighted Auburn's strong non-conference schedule, quality wins, and advanced metrics as evidence the team has done enough to earn an at-large bid. Several Auburn players echoed their coach's sentiment, arguing the team's body of work should be enough to secure a tournament berth when the field is announced on Selection Sunday.

Why it matters

Auburn's potential inclusion in the NCAA Tournament is a closely watched storyline, as the Tigers are considered to be on the bubble. Their case rests on the strength of their schedule and quality wins, which Pearl and the players believe outweigh their overall record and late-season struggles. The selection committee's decision could have major implications for the Tigers' postseason hopes.

The details

Auburn lost 72-62 to Tennessee in the second round of the SEC Tournament, ending their chance to bolster their resume. Head coach Steven Pearl argued the Tigers' body of work, including a tough non-conference schedule, quality wins, and advanced metrics, should be enough to earn an at-large bid. Several Auburn players, including Kevin Overton, Keyshawn Hall, and Tahaad Pettiford, also expressed confidence the team has done enough to make the NCAA Tournament field.

  • Auburn lost to Tennessee on March 12, 2026.
  • The NCAA Tournament field will be announced on March 15, 2026.

The players

Steven Pearl

The head coach of the Auburn Tigers men's basketball team.

Kevin Overton

A junior guard on the Auburn Tigers men's basketball team.

Keyshawn Hall

A senior forward on the Auburn Tigers men's basketball team.

Tahaad Pettiford

A sophomore guard on the Auburn Tigers men's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“If you look at our résumé, if you compare us to the rest of the teams on the bubble, which I'm happy to go over all these notes with you, we deserve to be in the tournament.”

— Steven Pearl, Head Coach

“I think this team has done plenty enough to make the tournament. Obviously, I understand the situation we're in, but I think the work has been done. I wish it wasn't this close, but it is. I think we've done enough to be in the tournament.”

— Kevin Overton, Junior Guard

“It's up in the committee's hand. If you look at it, we have our strength of schedule, a lot of people that's on the bubble's strength of schedule don't even compare to ours. If we had some teams' schedule, we'd probably be the same record or probably way better. It is what it is, we let a lot of games slip and we let that game slip. We just got to do better.”

— Keyshawn Hall, Senior Forward

“Yes. That's enough. Just knowing how hard these guys worked every single day. Our record might not show it, but I know these guys are ready to play in the March Madness tournament. If we get the chance, we're going to show it.”

— Tahaad Pettiford, Sophomore Guard

What’s next

The full NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed on Sunday, March 15, 2026 at 5 p.m. CST on CBS, determining whether Auburn's season will continue.

The takeaway

Auburn's case for an NCAA Tournament bid rests on the strength of their schedule and quality wins, which the team believes outweighs their overall record. The selection committee's decision on Selection Sunday will determine if the Tigers' resume is enough to earn an at-large bid, despite their late-season struggles.