Auburn Basketball Faces Crucial Stretch, KenPom Predicts Mixed Results
Auburn basketball is navigating a challenging stretch, currently enduring a five-game losing streak as it heads into the final games of the regular season. The Tigers desperately need a win to bolster their NCAA Tournament hopes. Their remaining schedule includes matchups against Kentucky, a road game at Oklahoma, contests with Ole Miss and LSU and a finale at Alabama.
Wednesday’s 91-85 loss to Mississippi State was a significant setback, but despite the recent struggles, analytical projections from KenPom suggest a potential turnaround. KenPom forecasts Auburn winning four of its remaining five games, with a projected loss in the regular season finale against Alabama.
The immediate focus for Auburn is securing a home victory against Kentucky. The Wildcats suffered an upset loss Tuesday night, falling to Georgia 86-78. KenPom gives Auburn a strong probability of protecting its home court at Neville Arena, predicting an 81-78 win.
Following the Kentucky game, Auburn faces a road trip to Oklahoma. KenPom assesses this matchup as more closely contested, giving the Tigers a 52% chance of victory with a projected score of 82-81. The subsequent games against Ole Miss and LSU appear more favorable for Auburn.
The season concludes with a challenging game at Alabama. Alabama previously defeated Auburn 96-92 in the first matchup between the two rivals. KenPom currently projects Auburn with only a 25% chance of securing a win in Tuscaloosa, forecasting a 93-85 loss.
Based on KenPom’s projections, Auburn is expected to finish the season with an overall record of 17-14 and an 8-10 record in the SEC. A strong showing in the SEC Tournament will likely be necessary to solidify their NCAA Tournament prospects.
Auburn’s path to postseason play isn’t solely reliant on these projections. A positive performance in the SEC Tournament could significantly improve their chances, regardless of the outcome of the remaining regular season games.
