Has Auburn been to Final Four? Tigers’ history after 2025 Elite Eight win
Has Auburn Been to the Final Four? Tigers’ History After 2025 Elite Eight Win
Auburn University’s men’s basketball team has a proud history, but one that has long been overshadowed by the more storied programs in college basketball. In 2025, however, the Auburn Tigers did something monumental in the history of their program: they advanced to the Final Four for the first time in over two decades. Their Elite Eight win was not just a game—it was a landmark achievement that signified the growth and development of Auburn basketball into a national powerhouse. But how did Auburn get to this point? Let’s explore the Tigers’ basketball journey leading up to their historic 2025 Elite Eight win and the significance of their Final Four run.
The Early Years: Auburn Basketball’s Beginnings
Auburn University’s men’s basketball program dates back to 1906, making it one of the oldest college basketball programs in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). However, despite its long history, the Tigers were often relegated to the shadows of more successful programs in the SEC and across the nation. Auburn basketball had some early success, but it wasn’t until the 1980s that the program began to make waves in college basketball.
In 1984, Auburn reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 1970s. Led by head coach Sonny Smith and future NBA player Chris Morris, the Tigers made their first significant postseason run, earning a spot in the 1985 NCAA Tournament. Although they didn’t make it past the second round that year, it marked the beginning of the Tigers’ sustained presence in the tournament. Over the next few decades, Auburn’s basketball program had a series of highs and lows, struggling to break into the upper echelon of college basketball.
The Bruce Pearl Era: A New Chapter in Auburn Basketball
The turning point for Auburn basketball came in 2014, when Bruce Pearl was hired as the head coach. Pearl, who had a reputation for revitalizing struggling programs (as seen during his tenure at the University of Tennessee), was seen as the perfect candidate to breathe new life into the Auburn program. His passion, recruiting prowess, and ability to connect with players immediately began to show results.
Under Pearl’s leadership, Auburn experienced a renaissance. The Tigers quickly became a competitive force in the SEC, consistently reaching the NCAA Tournament and gaining national attention for their fast-paced style of play. In his second season at Auburn (2015-2016), the Tigers made the NCAA Tournament for the first time in over a decade, setting the stage for an exciting new era of Auburn basketball.
However, it was in 2018-2019 that the Tigers truly arrived on the national stage. The 2018-2019 Auburn team was a juggernaut, combining defense and offense in a way that had not been seen in Auburn basketball for years. The Tigers reached the Final Four in 2019, led by standout players like Jared Harper, Bryce Brown, and Chuma Okeke. Auburn’s remarkable run to the Final Four that year was the program’s first-ever appearance at that stage. Though Auburn ultimately fell short of winning the national championship (losing to Virginia in the semifinals), the 2019 Final Four run cemented the Tigers as a true national contender and solidified Bruce Pearl’s legacy at the school.
The Road to the 2025 Elite Eight
After the heartbreak of the 2019 Final Four appearance, Auburn basketball continued to grow and evolve. The team experienced both ups and downs in the years that followed, but the foundation laid by Bruce Pearl remained strong. The program’s success on the recruiting trail continued to flourish, with highly touted players joining the ranks in subsequent years.
In the years following their Final Four appearance, Auburn continued to be a force in the SEC. The Tigers made multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, with each team showing glimpses of greatness but falling just short of another deep run. Auburn reached the Sweet Sixteen and earned several Top 25 rankings, keeping the program firmly in the conversation as one of the elite teams in college basketball.
However, it wasn’t until the 2025 season that the Tigers truly returned to national prominence, producing a team capable of making another serious run at the Final Four. In many ways, the 2025 season was a culmination of all the hard work, recruitment, and development that Auburn had built under Pearl’s leadership. It was a season defined by resilience, depth, and the emergence of several players who would lead the Tigers to the ultimate stage.
The 2025 Elite Eight Victory
The 2025 NCAA Tournament was one of the most thrilling in Auburn basketball history. The Tigers had quietly flown under the radar during the regular season but entered the tournament with confidence. Their bracket path saw them face off against tough competition, including traditional basketball powerhouses. Despite the pressure and the fierce competition, Auburn’s performance was nothing short of stellar.
As the Tigers advanced through the rounds, they found themselves in the Elite Eight, facing a highly skilled Tennessee team that had been dominant throughout the tournament. The matchup promised to be a hard-fought battle, but no one could have predicted what would unfold in the final minutes of the game.
In a dramatic twist, Auburn’s star player, Johni Broome, suffered an injury in the second half. As he limped off the court, the possibility of the Tigers losing their momentum seemed real. Yet, Broome showed remarkable resilience, returning to the game despite the pain. In the final moments, with Auburn trailing by three points, Broome drained a clutch three-pointer to seal the victory. It was a shot that instantly became one of the most iconic moments in Auburn basketball history, propelling the Tigers to the Final Four.
Auburn’s 71-68 win over Tennessee was a testament to the team’s growth, determination, and ability to perform under pressure. Broome’s heroic performance, along with the contributions from his teammates, was the culmination of everything Auburn had worked for under Bruce Pearl’s leadership.
Auburn’s Final Four Run in 2025
For the first time in two decades, Auburn reached the Final Four, fulfilling a dream that had eluded the program for years. The Tigers’ remarkable run to the Final Four in 2025 not only marked the pinnacle of their success under Pearl but also served as a statement to the rest of the college basketball world that Auburn basketball had arrived as a true powerhouse.
The Tigers’ Final Four appearance was a testament to the program’s sustained excellence and growth. It wasn’t just about the players who had contributed on the court in 2025; it was about the years of work that had gone into building a winning culture and attracting top-tier talent. For Auburn fans, this run was a long time coming, and they were determined to enjoy every moment of it.
What’s Next for Auburn Basketball?
As the 2025 Final Four approached, Auburn’s program had already accomplished something extraordinary. But for Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl, the job wasn’t finished. The Tigers’ Final Four appearance was a historic milestone, but it was also just one step in the journey toward the ultimate goal: a national championship.
The Auburn program was now firmly entrenched in the conversation as one of the elite programs in college basketball. With a mix of veteran leadership, up-and-coming talent, and Pearl’s proven coaching abilities, the Tigers were poised to contend for future championships. Auburn’s rise to prominence had become a model for how a program could go from good to great through strong leadership, smart recruiting, and player development.
Auburn fans, who had endured years of frustration and near-misses, were thrilled to see their team finally make it to the mountaintop. The city of Auburn and the university as a whole were brimming with pride. The Tigers had earned their place among the nation’s elite basketball programs, and the excitement was palpable.
But with the Final Four only a game away, Auburn’s sights were now set on something even bigger. The Tigers were not satisfied with just making the Final Four—they wanted to win it all. For players like Broome, Green, and Flanigan, this moment was not just a personal achievement but a reflection of everything they had worked for.
Reflecting on Auburn’s History
In many ways, Auburn’s 2025 Final Four run encapsulated the program’s growth over the last decade. From its humble beginnings to the heights of the 2019 Final Four, and now, to the 2025 Final Four, Auburn basketball had reached new heights. It was a reminder that success in college basketball isn’t just about having a few great seasons—it’s about sustained effort, building a culture of success, and constantly striving to improve.
For Auburn’s coaches, players, and fans, the 2025 Elite Eight victory was more than just a win; it was a statement of intent. Auburn basketball had arrived, and its best days were still ahead. As they prepared for the 2025 Final Four, the Tigers knew that they had the opportunity to make history and cement their legacy as one of college basketball’s most exciting and competitive programs.
The journey was far from over. And for Auburn, the future looked brighter than ever.
