Auburn Basketball's NCAA Tournament Hopes Dim in Latest Bracketology

The Tigers have fallen to the 'first four out' category after a loss to Ole Miss.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

According to the latest Bracketology from ESPN's Joe Lunardi, Auburn basketball's NCAA Tournament hopes have taken a hit. The Tigers have fallen from the 'last four in' category to the 'first four out' after losing to Ole Miss, a team that had lost 10 straight games entering the matchup. Auburn's 5-11 record against Quad 1 competition this season has put their tournament chances in jeopardy, though they have one more opportunity to improve their resume with a game against No. 18 Alabama on Saturday.

Why it matters

Auburn's potential exclusion from the NCAA Tournament would be a major disappointment for the program, which has been on the bubble for much of the season. The Tigers have played a tough schedule, facing several top-10 teams, but have struggled to pick up quality wins, putting their postseason hopes in doubt.

The details

In Lunardi's latest Bracketology, Auburn has fallen from the 'last four in' category to the 'first four out'. This comes after the Tigers' loss to Ole Miss, a team that had lost 10 straight games entering Saturday's contest. Auburn is now 5-11 against Quad 1 competition this season, and has one more opportunity to improve its resume with a game against No. 18 Alabama on Saturday. A win over the Crimson Tide would be Auburn's second-best win of the season, with its best being a road victory at Florida, which clinched a share of the SEC regular season crown last Saturday.

  • Auburn lost to Ole Miss on Saturday, February 25, 2026.
  • Auburn's next opportunity to better its resume comes on Tuesday, February 28, 2026, at home against LSU.

The players

Joe Lunardi

ESPN's bracketology expert who releases regular updates on the NCAA Tournament field.

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What’s next

Auburn's next game is on the road against No. 18 Alabama on Saturday, March 2, 2026. A win over the Crimson Tide would be a significant boost to the Tigers' NCAA Tournament hopes.

The takeaway

Auburn's loss to Ole Miss has put their NCAA Tournament aspirations in serious jeopardy, as they have now fallen to the 'first four out' category in the latest Bracketology. The Tigers will need to pick up a marquee win, such as against No. 18 Alabama, to improve their resume and secure a spot in the Big Dance.