“All the things we’ve done this year, and people still don’t believe we can win it all?” On the sport’s biggest stage, Auburn can still play the underdog card… following

All the things we’ve done this year, and people still don’t believe we can win it all?”
On the Sport’s Biggest Stage, Auburn Can Still Play the Underdog Card

AUBURN, Ala. — In a college basketball season that has seen the rise and fall of blue bloods and the emergence of new powerhouses, the Auburn Tigers have carved out a place among the elite. Yet despite their accolades, a top-tier record, and dominant performances in the SEC, Auburn still hears the same question whispered in corners of the media and among fans of the game: Can they really win it all?

That doubt fuels this team.

“All the things we’ve done this year, and people still don’t believe we can win it all?” one player said following the team’s most recent statement victory. It wasn’t an outburst—it was a reflection of the simmering frustration and quiet motivation that has defined Auburn’s journey through the 2024–25 season.

Head coach Bruce Pearl, no stranger to being doubted, has built a culture around embracing that skepticism. For a team that has hovered near the top of the national rankings and claimed impressive victories over some of the sport’s biggest names, the underdog card might seem out of place. But Auburn wears it like armor.

“We’re not the most talked-about team,” Pearl admitted during a press conference. “But we’re okay with that. In fact, we like it that way.”

Auburn’s resume this season has been nothing short of impressive. They’ve handled their business in the ultra-competitive SEC, consistently outpacing rivals like Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama. Their style of play—fast, physical, and unrelenting on defense—has made them one of the toughest matchups in the country. And yet, skepticism persists.

Much of the narrative surrounding Auburn’s postseason chances centers on pedigree. Traditionalists still see programs like Duke, Kansas, or Michigan State as safer bets in March. The Tigers, meanwhile, have only one Final Four appearance in school history—2019’s magical run that was cut short by a controversial call against Virginia. That heartbreak still lingers for the program, but it has also hardened it.

This year’s team features a dynamic mix of experience and youthful spark. Point guard Tre Donaldson has taken a major leap in his development, becoming a steady hand and vocal leader on both ends. Senior big man Johni Broome continues to be the rock in the paint, averaging a double-double while anchoring one of the most efficient defenses in the nation. And the emergence of freshman phenom Tariq Wells has given Auburn a versatile scorer who can light up the scoreboard from anywhere on the floor.

“This group is different,” said associate head coach Wes Flanigan. “They believe in each other. They believe in the work they’ve put in. And they believe they’ve got unfinished business.”

Even when the Tigers claimed the SEC Tournament title in dominant fashion, many pundits brushed it off as a hot streak rather than a sign of real championship potential. But inside the Auburn locker room, every slight is remembered, every question about their legitimacy is logged.

And now, as the NCAA Tournament looms, Auburn doesn’t just want to prove the doubters wrong—they’re determined to rewrite the script entirely.

There’s an undeniable swagger to this group, born not of arrogance but of resilience. They’ve won on the road in hostile environments, battled through injuries, and shown the depth and balance that are trademarks of championship-caliber teams. Still, they remain one of the most doubted top seeds in recent memory.

“We see what’s being said,” Broome said. “We hear it. But that’s okay. Let them talk. We’re just going to keep playing Auburn basketball.”

And maybe that’s the most dangerous thing about the Tigers. For a team loaded with talent, discipline, and momentum, being allowed to play the role of underdog is not a disadvantage—it’s a weapon. They thrive in the shadows, thrive on the doubt.

So as March Madness kicks into full gear, Auburn isn’t just looking to survive. They’re ready to take it all.