The Auburn Tigers may have won their first two games in the NCAA Tournament, but they haven’t impressed everyone. Looking at the remaining 16 teams and how they have fared so far, some have played up to the standards we expect, others have excelled and others not so much.

The Auburn Tigers will be in the latter group as they were decent but not great against the 16-seed Alabama State Hornets. They then had a much more impressive win against the nine-seed Creighton Blue Jays, who could have made life much more difficult for the Tigers in the second round.

Despite this, the No. 1 overall seed Tigers were reseeded as the five-seed in a hypothetical new region with just 16 teams remaining. Houston would be reseeded as the No. 4 seed. The Tennessee Volunteers, who received a two-seed, would become the three-seed. The Florida Gators jumped up from No. 4 to No. 2. Duke would become No. 1.

The Last of the teams remaining was the Arkansas Razorbacks. One thing to note is that of the 16 teams remaining, seven came from the SEC.

If the Tigers could all get on the same page, they might be a massive force. In the win against the Blue Jays, their guards Tahaad Pettiford and Denver Jones led the team in scoring, while forward/center Johni Broome had a quiet night. If all three come to life in their Sweet 16 matchup, they could be cruising into the Elite Eight.

The Tigers will take on the Michigan Wolverines in the Sweet 16 in Atlanta. The game should be significantly closer than any other game the Tigers have played. Michigan was reseeded as the 10-seed, per SI.

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In a surprising turn of events, Auburn’s basketball program experienced a significant drop in the latest mock reseeding of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Initially regarded as a strong contender, the Tigers’ performance in the first two rounds of the tournament raised some eyebrows, and their slide in the reseeding reflects a mix of concerns regarding their consistency and overall tournament readiness.

Auburn had entered the tournament with considerable momentum. Head coach Bruce Pearl had cultivated a scrappy, defensive-minded squad, led by standout players like Wendell Green Jr. and Jaylin Williams. Throughout the regular season, the Tigers demonstrated their ability to compete with top teams, and many pundits predicted a potential deep run. However, their performance in the tournament thus far has caused some to reassess their title hopes.

One of the primary factors contributing to Auburn’s drop in the mock reseeding is their inconsistent play. While they showed flashes of brilliance, especially in their gritty wins, their overall execution seemed to fluctuate. Some key players, notably Green, struggled with turnovers and shot selection, while others were unable to step up in crucial moments. This inconsistency is a major concern as they move forward in a highly competitive field.

Additionally, the competition around them only seemed to strengthen. Several higher-ranked teams, including the likes of Alabama, Kansas, and Duke, showcased more polished performances in their first few games, making it clear that Auburn would have to raise their level of play significantly to stay in the hunt for a Final Four appearance.

The reseeding also took into account Auburn’s defensive lapses at times. While the Tigers are known for their defense-first mentality, there were moments in their tournament games where opposing teams were able to exploit weaknesses, particularly in transition and in guarding the perimeter. These defensive lapses could prove costly in the later rounds against teams with more dynamic offenses.

Despite the drop, Auburn still holds potential as an unpredictable, tough-minded team. Their road to redemption in the tournament will depend on their ability to fix these issues and play with more consistency. The reseeding serves as a wake-up call, reminding the Tigers that they must tighten up both offensively and defensively if they are to make a deeper run in March Madness.