Mark Sears’ revenge tour got off to a strong start. The Iron Bowl of basketball lived up to its intense billing on the Plains, with no love lost between the teams. Not that one expected any in this rivalry! In the heart of Neville Arena, Auburn’s championship banner waved like a red flag, taunting the Crimson Tide and fueling their hunger for victory and bragging rights. 

But before we dive into the thrilling matchup, let’s take a step back and appreciate the masterminds behind the schedule. It’s no coincidence that both Auburn-Alabama clashes this season fell on Saturdays. The SEC planned it that way to make basketball Saturdays feel just like football game days. And obviously, with Bama and Auburn’s storied rivalry, what better stage for a showdown?

This thing goes all the way back to 1924 and has been a staple of SEC hoops. Sure, football usually steals the spotlight, but not this year. With stars like Johni Broome and Mark Sears leading the charge- and both teams sitting pretty in the top 10- this year felt bigger. Much to fans’ delight, it served up to the hype. Bruce Pearl clinched the first one. But UA took home the second, silencing the opponent’s arena.

From the get-go, the Crimson Tide’s offense was already rolling, led by Grant Nelson, who dropped 23 points, including a trio of deep threes. Labaron Philon and Clifford Omoruyi chipped in 15 apiece, with Nelson and Omoruyi also cleaning up the glass. Bama made sure to dominate the boards. However, UA just couldn’t get out of its own way at times. That’s really why the game went into overtime. Turnovers, miscues, and costly mistakes prevented the Crimson Tide from finishing in regulation.

Then, the Crimson Tide got another chance to close the game, and they did. But the hero moment?

You better believe it was the most perfect ending to their regular season finale. Mark Sears didn’t have his best game (scoring nine in total)—far from it. But after Johni Broome drilled a clutch corner three to tie it at 91 with 15 seconds left and fans almost believed it would send the game to a second overtime, the senior guard knew it was go-time. The revenge tour he boldly declared? It had to start now. Alabama had the ball, and he hit THE shot of the season.  

With the clock winding down in overtime, Sears let it fly from the free-throw line. The ball hung in the air for what felt like an eternity before splash. Game over. Alabama 93, Auburn 91. And just as the shot fell, the arena erupted. But not in celebration. Auburn fans were livid, hurling boos and throwing towels at the Crimson Tide. It was ugly.

But that’s just how wild college rivalries get, right?

And this one had multiple moments that reminded us why this is one of the best rivalries. From the moment the game started, Tigers were booing ex-Tiger Aden Holloway every single time he touched the ball in his return to Neville Arena. Nelson had his fun too—busting out the crimson crane after a dunk, just to rub it in.

And the Auburn crowd made sure Nate Oats heard them loud and clear, breaking into chants telling him to shut up multiple times. But Sears & Co. couldn’t care less. After the game, they shot a glance at the furious crowd from the sidelines, smirks plastered on their faces—because in the end, it was Bama who had the last laugh, walking away with a share of the regular-season title.

Much deserved and needed, especially after a ruined Senior Night vs Florida. Sears confirmed that they were surely fueled by that saying, “Our Senior Night was ruined because we lost to Florida, and our message was let’s go in there and get a win on their Senior Night. We were able to that.”

So, all in all, this game was packed with so many highlights that you’d need more than just your fingers to count them. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any crazier, here’s another one.

Chad Baker-Mazara’s flagrant foul adds to Auburn’s nightmare vs. Mark Sears & Co.

Chad Baker-Mazara handed out 840 donuts to Auburn students on Friday night. By Saturday, he was handing out elbows. In a game already so intense, Baker-Mazara found himself at the center of controversy yet again. With just under 11 minutes left, Auburn was trailing Alabama 62-57 when Baker-Mazara and Alabama’s Chris Youngblood got tangled up—for the fifth time this season. 

But this time, things escalated. 

Youngblood hit the deck, and after an official review, the call was clear—Baker-Mazara threw his left elbow into Youngblood’s neck. Flagrant 2. Ejected. Just like that, he was out, and Auburn lost a key player at a crucial moment. 

The Tigers never recovered. Baker-Mazara, who left with 7 points, 3 assists, and 2 rebounds, is no stranger to this kind of drama. After being ejected in Auburn’s shocking March Madness loss to Yale last season, he’s built up quite a reputation for questionable in-game antics. 

But this one hurt Auburn when they needed him most. However, Tigers, don’t be too sad. Despite the loss, Auburn is still in line for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and remains a favorite for the tourney’s top overall seed, even if they don’t win the SEC Tournament. 

Crimson Tide, on the other hand, kept its own No. 1 seed hopes alive with this massive win. Both teams have secured byes in the SEC Tournament, so don’t be surprised if we get an epic rematch in Nashville.