Auburn Misses NCAA Tournament for First Time Since 2021

Selection Committee Chair Cites Tigers' 16 Losses as Reason for Exclusion

Mar. 16, 2026 at 12:49am

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Despite a strong non-conference schedule and some impressive wins, the Auburn Tigers were left out of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, marking the first time they have missed the Big Dance since 2021. Selection Committee Chair Keith Gill cited Auburn's 16 losses and 51.5% winning percentage as the primary factors in the decision.

Why it matters

Auburn has been a consistent NCAA Tournament team in recent years, making the field in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. This exclusion represents a significant setback for the program under head coach Steven Pearl, who is entering his inaugural season. The Tigers will now have to regroup and focus on rebuilding for next year, with pressure mounting if they fail to return to the tournament.

The details

Auburn finished the 2025-26 season with a 17-16 overall record and a 7-11 mark in SEC play. The Tigers had some impressive wins, including a victory at Florida, but the selection committee ultimately felt they had not done enough to earn an at-large bid. Gill noted that no team has ever received an at-large bid with 16 losses or more, and that trend held true for Auburn this year.

  • Auburn missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021.
  • The Tigers finished the 2025-26 season with a 17-16 overall record and a 7-11 mark in SEC play.

The players

Keith Gill

The Chair of the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee, who explained Auburn's exclusion from the field of 68.

Steven Pearl

The head coach of the Auburn Tigers, entering his inaugural season with the program.

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What they’re saying

“The first four out was very close. You mention Auburn. Obviously, they had a really strong strength of schedule. They had some really good wins – that win at Florida is a great win. But when you look at that winning percentage – 51.5% – you know, the 16 losses. When the committee took that all into consideration, they thought they just hadn't done enough to make it inside the field.”

— Keith Gill, Selection Committee Chair

What’s next

It is unknown whether Auburn will accept an NIT bid if it were to receive an invite, but the Tigers will need to focus on rebuilding for next season. Head coach Steven Pearl will likely be under pressure to get the program back to the NCAA Tournament, especially after this disappointing exclusion.

The takeaway

This missed NCAA Tournament appearance for Auburn highlights the fine line between making the field and being left out, even for a program that has been a consistent participant in recent years. The Tigers' struggles down the stretch, coupled with their high number of losses, ultimately proved too much for the selection committee to overlook, despite their strong non-conference schedule and impressive wins.