Auburn's NCAA Tournament dreams hang by a thread after a devastating 85-79 loss to Ole Miss on Saturday night. This wasn't just any loss; it was a must-win game that could have secured their fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, tying a school record. Instead, Steven Pearl's team stumbled, snapping a 10-game losing streak for the Rebels and dealing a crushing blow to their own postseason aspirations.
But here's where it gets even more concerning: Auburn's struggles weren't isolated to this game. Their 3-point defense, a recurring weakness, was once again exposed. For the third time in four games, an opponent rained down double-digit threes. Ole Miss started scorching hot from beyond the arc, hitting five of their first six attempts, while Auburn went ice cold, starting 0-for-7. Though Kevin Overton finally broke the drought with a 3-pointer late in the first half, the damage was done. Ole Miss, led by Patton Pinkins' blistering 4-for-5 performance from deep, simply couldn't miss.
And this is the part most people miss: Auburn's turnover woes continue to haunt them. Coming off a game with 14 turnovers against Oklahoma, they coughed it up 13 times against Ole Miss, leading to 18 easy points for the Rebels. This trend of double-digit turnovers in three straight games is a recipe for disaster, especially against teams capitalizing on those mistakes.
Auburn's tournament resume, once bolstered by a strong schedule and impressive quad-one wins, is now in serious jeopardy. Despite facing a gauntlet of tough opponents, their losing SEC record and recent slump have them teetering on the bubble. This loss to Ole Miss, arguably their worst of the season, couldn't have come at a worse time.
Is Auburn's season slipping away? With six losses in their last seven games, their tournament hopes are on life support. They'll need a miraculous turnaround starting with their final home game against LSU on Tuesday night. Can they salvage their season, or will this be the year their NCAA streak comes to an end? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
MVP: Patton Pinkins
The Rebel guard was unstoppable, leading all scorers with 26 points on an efficient 8-for-10 shooting, including 4-for-5 from three-point range. His 15 second-half points were crucial in sealing the win for Ole Miss.
UP NEXT:
Auburn faces LSU in their final home game of the season on Tuesday night at 9 p.m. CST on the SEC Network. Will they find their rhythm before it's too late?
