How did a longtime football powerhouse emerge as a dominant force in basketball? Inside how hoops became the main attraction in Auburn.

ESPN might want to think twice before inviting Auburn coach Bruce Pearl back on its set for a postgame interview. On Friday afternoon, Auburn defeated Ole Miss in a SEC Tournament thriller. Johni Broome led the charge for the Tigers with 23 points.

The enthusiasm from Auburn’s charismatic head coach comes after the Tigers earned a five-point win to start the SEC tournament, largely due to their defense. They held the Rebels to a season-low 57 points and 37.7% shooting from the field.

Stephen A. Smith called out Auburn basketball and Bruce Pearl on ESPN's "First Take" on Monday ahead of March Madness. Here's what he said:

The Auburn Tigers struggles down the stretch of the basketball season have not gone unnoticed. The discourse around Bruce Pearl's team has largely centered around the fact it has lost three of four games heading into the NCAA Tournament, something no National Champion has ever done before.

What time does Auburn basketball play in March Madness Round of 64? Here’s time, date, TV for 2025 NCAA Tournament opener.