NCAA Tourney Committee Member Weighs In on Auburn's Bubble Status

Samford AD Martin Newton discusses Auburn's NCAA tournament prospects as the regular season winds down.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

With the NCAA tournament approaching, Auburn finds itself on the bubble as a team that could either make the field or be left out. In an interview, NCAA tournament selection committee vice chair Martin Newton discussed Auburn's current standing, noting the team's strong strength of schedule and impressive metrics despite a 15-12 record.

Why it matters

Auburn has made the NCAA tournament for the past four seasons, but this year the Tigers are facing an uphill battle to extend that streak. The committee's perspective on Auburn's resume provides valuable insight into how the team is viewed heading into the final stretch of the regular season and SEC tournament.

The details

Newton said Auburn is "right there where they need to be" on the bubble, noting the team's fantastic strength of schedule that includes five games against top-8 NET teams. Auburn's 15 total Quad 1 games played are the most nationally, though the team holds a 5-10 record in those contests. Newton emphasized that Auburn's metrics are "really good because of that strength of schedule" and the team just needs to "win some games" and "win some close games" to solidify its tournament standing.

  • Auburn has four regular-season games remaining before the SEC tournament.
  • The NCAA tournament selection committee met last week to discuss the bracket.

The players

Martin Newton

The athletics director at Samford University and vice chair of the NCAA tournament selection committee.

Auburn Tigers

The men's basketball team at Auburn University, which is currently on the NCAA tournament bubble with a 15-12 record.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Auburn stands there. They're right there where they need to be. They're still … You can play your way in, you can play your way out.”

— Martin Newton, NCAA Tournament Selection Committee Vice Chair (al.com)

“Their metrics are really good because of that strength of schedule. You know, like any team, they've got to win some games, they've got to win some close games.”

— Martin Newton, NCAA Tournament Selection Committee Vice Chair (al.com)

What’s next

Auburn faces three teams at the bottom of the SEC standings (Oklahoma, Mississippi, and LSU) before ending the regular season at Alabama. The Tigers will also compete in the SEC tournament, where they will look to bolster their NCAA tournament resume.

The takeaway

Auburn's strong strength of schedule has kept the team in the NCAA tournament conversation despite a 15-12 record, but the Tigers will need to win some key games down the stretch to secure their fifth straight tournament appearance.