Meanwhile, their perimeter game is just as deadly. Chad Baker-Mazara’s sharpshooting spaces the floor, forcing defenders to respect Auburn’s deep threat. Just ask Ole Miss, who watched helplessly as the Tigers drained 52.4% of their threes (11-of-21) in a dominant win.

But what truly separates Auburn isn’t just offense—it’s their defensive intensity. With five double-digit scorers and a top-50 three-point attack, the Tigers don’t just outscore teams; they shut them down. Their ability to limit opponents’ three-point efficiency is a major weapon. When their defense is clicking—especially in what’s now being called the “Denver Jones Torture Chamber”—they turn tight games into blowouts.

When Auburn locks down the perimeter, they’re nearly unbeatable. Their biggest wins—Alabama, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Missouri—all share a common theme: suffocating defense paired with the efficient offense. But the best wins aren’t the goal. Instead, it’s something even a legend like Barkley never achieved.

After 41 years of drought, Charles Barkley’s Auburn is finally on the path to his ultimate goal

Charles Barkley directed Auburn toward their first national championship appearance, but he never made it to win the national championship title. Even after 41 years of Tigers to their first-ever NCAA tournament appearance in 1984, that ultimate goal remains unfulfilled.

Could this be the year they finally finish the job? Maybe. As March arrives, only a handful of teams have a legitimate shot at a No. 1 seed, and Auburn is one of them. Despite their 72-83 loss to Texas, they’re still sitting at 27-3 overall and 15-2 in the SEC, with Sporting News’ Bill Bender still projecting them as a top seed in the tournament.

But they’re not alone in the race. The SEC is stacked. Michigan State, St. John’s, and Arizona are all contenders in their respective conferences. Auburn has the tools to make a deep run, but the concern? Momentum. With just one regular-season game left—a showdown against No. 7 Alabama on March 9th—everything hangs in the balance.

It’s the same time of year. Same teams. Same stakes. But this time? Auburn fans aren’t hoping for a win. They’re expecting one. After their latest loss, though, can they back up the hype?