Auburn dropped its SEC Tournament semifinal game to Tennessee on Saturday. Here is a look at the final projections before their NCAA Tournament fate is revealed.
March Madness is off to a sour start for the Auburn Tigers. Bruce Pearl’s squad fell in the SEC Tournament semifinals on Saturday to Tennessee for its third loss over its last four games since the calendar flipped to March. Now, the Tigers must work to improve their recent struggles and focus on winning the NCAA Tournament crown.
ESPN’s Joe Lunardi revealed his latest Bracketology late Saturday ahead of Sunday’s conference championship action and “Selection Sunday.” According to Lunardi’s forecast, Auburn has locked up the No. 1 overall seed in the SEC Tournament despite losing in the SEC semifinals. Duke, Florida, and Houston are also expected to grab No. 1 seeds. The Blue Devils beat Louisville, 73-62, on Saturday to win the ACC title while Houston claimed the Big 12 crown by taking out Arizona, 72-64. Florida will battle Tennessee on Sunday in the SEC Tournament championship in Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
The update originally had Auburn facing the winner of a play-in game between Jackson State and St. Francis in the South Regional opener at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. However, Alabama State defeated Jackson State in the SWAC championship after Lunardi’s update, thus eliminating Jackson State from NCAA Tournament contention. Michigan State is the forecasted No. 2 seed in the South regional, followed by No. 3 Kentucky, No. 4 Arizona, and No. 5 Clemson. Lunardi predicts Auburn to face No. 8 Marquette or No. 9 Baylor in the round of 32.
Five conference tournaments, including the SEC, Ivy League, and Big Ten, will be decided on Sunday. There will be plenty of shakeup ahead of Selection Sunday, with Auburn’s fate all by wrapped up.
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