With only a few days left until March Madness, predictions are flying. For many, Auburn is the favorite to win the NCAA title. And why not? The Tigers have dominated the entire season, sitting at No. 1 in the rankings with an almost perfect 27-4 record. But one person isn’t ready to jump on the bandwagon just yet—Auburn’s most famous alum, Charles Barkley.

Despite Auburn’s top ranking in the SEC, Barkley had a stern message for the Tigers. And if there’s one thing we know about Chuck, it’s that he never holds back. When asked about Auburn’s celebrations on Field of 68, he made his stance crystal clear.

“When you’re doing celebrations, you better finish the job. Celebration is only good when you win. Don’t forget that.” And honestly? He’s not wrong. Auburn has been steamrolling through opponents, but as any seasoned basketball fan knows, a No. 1 ranking in February doesn’t mean squat if you fumble in March.

It’s not just Auburn’s overall record that has Barkley concerned. He’s taken note of their recent struggles—ones that could prove costly in March.

Less than a month ago, on February 16th, then-No. 1 Auburn secured a massive 94-85 victory over No. 2 Alabama. It was the first time in SEC history that two top-ranked teams faced off, and Auburn came out on top. Naturally, Bruce Pearl and his squad celebrated in a way that reflected their hard-fought win.

But just weeks later, when the Tigers and the Crimson Tide met again on March 9th, the confidence wasn’t enough to get them over the line. Despite pushing the game to overtime, Auburn fell 93-91, marking their second consecutive loss. And that’s exactly why Barkley is sounding the alarm. He’s seen Auburn crumble in high-pressure moments before—and it looks like history is repeating itself.

“They’ve been the No. 1 team 90% of the time this season. They’re probably going to be the No. 1 overall seed. But all that celebration stuff doesn’t mean anything unless they get to the Final Four. Gotta make it.” And Barkley’s warning couldn’t have come at a more crucial time.

Auburn has just one regular-season game left, but their recent losses have already had repercussions. After sitting at No. 1 in the AP Top 25 for eight straight weeks, the Tigers have finally slipped. Duke has now taken the No. 1 spot, with Houston sitting at No. 2. Auburn has dropped to No. 3.

This shift in rankings comes after the Blue Devils capitalized on Auburn’s back-to-back losses to reclaim the top spot for the first time in four years. On paper, it seems like just another shake-up in the rankings—something every top team experiences, right? Not really.

Despite having a stronghold, Auburn’s past threats future March Madness run. 

Auburn’s journey in college basketball has been anything but predictable, especially when it comes to March Madness. The Tigers have had historic highs and brutal lows, making them one of the most unpredictable teams in the tournament. Auburn’s mixed history in the NCAA Tournament isn’t lost on anyone, especially not Charles Barkley, the program’s most famous alum. He sums it up best: “I’ve chosen the beauty of March Madness and the brutality of March Madness.”

The Tigers have danced in the NCAA Tournament 13 times, racking up a 19-13 record along the way. Their most legendary run came in 2019 when they shocked the world by making it to the Final Four for the first time in school history. That journey saw them take down powerhouses like Kansas, North Carolina, and Kentucky, proving they could go toe-to-toe with the best.

But just when they were on the verge of history, they suffered a heartbreaking 63-62 loss to Virginia in the national semifinals. Well, this isn’t the only case. Just last year, as a No. 4 seed, they were stunned by No. 13 Yale, losing 76-78 in the first round. It was a crushing defeat that left fans in disbelief and proved that anything can happen in the tournament.

Well, that’s the beauty of March Madness. One moment, you’re the underdog taking down giants. The next, you’re walking off the court wondering what could’ve been.

However, this year feels different.

And a big reason for that is Tahaad Pettiford. The freshman guard has been a game-changer, showing flashes of brilliance throughout the season. Take Auburn’s 83-72 loss to No. 22 Texas A&M, for example. Even in defeat, Pettiford put on a show, dropping 19 points and drilling six three-pointers. That kind of clutch shooting and confidence will be crucial when the Tigers enter the madness of March. So, will this be another year of heartbreak? Or will Auburn finally finish what it started in 2019?