In a season that defied expectations and redefined the trajectory of a rising program, the Auburn Tigers women’s basketball team shattered records, silenced skeptics, and captivated a national audience. With a staggering 32 wins — the most in school history — and five victories over Top-10 opponents, the 2024–25 season will go down as one of the greatest in Auburn athletics.
For decades, Auburn basketball had played in the shadow of traditional powerhouses, fighting for respect within the competitive SEC. But this season was different. This team wasn’t just playing catch-up. They were setting the pace. Their toughness, chemistry, and championship mindset turned what was once a dream into a resounding reality.
This is the story of a team that soared, of a coaching staff that believed, and of a program that claimed its place among the nation’s elite.
A Record-Breaking Campaign
Prior to this season, Auburn’s women’s basketball had never won more than 30 games in a single campaign. That mark was eclipsed in style as the Tigers rolled to 32 wins, blending experience with youth, discipline with flair.
They started the season unranked, underestimated, and unbothered. By the end of it, they were a fixture in the AP Top 10 and a legitimate Final Four contender. Along the way, Auburn knocked off five Top-10 opponents — a feat not only unprecedented in program history but rare across all of college basketball.
The team didn’t just win. They won with authority. They defended with grit. They executed with poise. And they represented Auburn with passion and pride.
Top-10 Triumphs that Turned Heads
Signature wins are often the backbone of historic seasons, and for Auburn, each Top-10 victory was a highlight reel moment that fueled their rise:
- Vs. #6 UCLA – In one of the earliest statement games of the season, Auburn dismantled a highly touted UCLA squad at home, showing off their depth and defensive intensity. It was the win that put the Tigers on the national radar.
- At #3 LSU – In what many dubbed the upset of the year, Auburn went into Baton Rouge and stunned the defending national champions. Behind suffocating defense and late-game heroics, the Tigers handed LSU a rare home loss and earned SEC respect.
- Vs. #9 Texas A&M – Hosting a red-hot Aggies team, Auburn delivered a clinical performance, dominating both ends of the court. It was a coming-of-age moment for the program.
- SEC Tournament Semifinal vs. #7 South Carolina – The Gamecocks, known for their postseason pedigree, were stifled by Auburn’s relentless press and half-court execution. The win booked Auburn’s ticket to the SEC title game.
- NCAA Sweet 16 vs. #8 Oregon – On the biggest stage yet, Auburn put together a near-flawless performance to knock off Oregon and punch their ticket to the Elite Eight. It was Auburn’s most complete win of the season and a testament to their growth.
Each of these victories was significant not only for the impact on Auburn’s résumé but also for the psychological boost it provided. No longer were the Tigers outsiders. They were title contenders.
Coaching Brilliance: A Vision Realized
At the heart of Auburn’s breakthrough was head coach Johnnie Harris. The fourth-year head coach had steadily built a culture based on accountability, effort, and excellence. This season, her blueprint bore fruit in the most spectacular way.
Harris, a longtime assistant under Vic Schaefer and a defensive mastermind, instilled a mindset that every possession matters. Her ability to prepare her team, adapt mid-game, and inspire belief turned Auburn from a middle-tier SEC program into a national power.
She assembled a staff that blended recruiting prowess with tactical knowledge. They developed players, embraced analytics, and built an identity rooted in defensive pressure, rebounding, and balanced scoring.
By season’s end, Harris was a frontrunner for National Coach of the Year honors — and deservedly so.
Stars Shine Bright on the Plains
No historic season is complete without standout performances from key players, and this Auburn team had them in abundance.
Ramani Parker, the senior forward, was the team’s emotional leader and statistical anchor. Averaging a double-double for most of the season, Parker dominated the glass and provided timely scoring in the paint. Her footwork, court vision, and leadership made her the Tigers’ most valuable presence on both ends.
Honesty Scott-Grayson, the crafty veteran guard, elevated her game to another level. Whether breaking down defenders, hitting pull-up jumpers, or dishing dimes, Scott-Grayson ran the offense with surgical precision. She became Auburn’s go-to option in crunch time and delivered in big moments.
Sydney Shaw, the sophomore sharpshooter, lit up scoreboards with her three-point range. Shaw stretched defenses, opened driving lanes, and was deadly when left open. Her confidence and efficiency kept Auburn in games and often helped them pull away.
Madison Smith, a freshman phenom, made an immediate impact. Her energy, athleticism, and willingness to defend the opponent’s best guard earned her a spot in the starting lineup by January. Smith’s emergence gave Auburn a dynamic backcourt for years to come.
The bench, led by sixth woman Jada Curry, was equally vital. Curry’s ability to come in and change the tempo with her quick first step and aggressive defense gave Auburn a unique edge.
This was a team where roles were embraced, egos checked at the door, and the collective mission always came first.
A Fortress in Neville Arena
The Tigers turned Neville Arena into one of the most hostile environments in the country. Home games were packed, loud, and emotionally charged. The student section, dubbed “Jungle Heat,” brought relentless energy. For the first time in years, women’s basketball was the ticket at Auburn.
The Tigers fed off the crowd. They defended their home floor with ferocity, losing just once all season in Auburn. The atmosphere played a critical role in key wins over Top-25 foes like Florida, Ole Miss, and Kentucky.
Coach Harris made sure her team understood what it meant to protect home turf — and the players responded with fire and focus every time they stepped on the court.
A Deep NCAA Tournament Run
Entering the NCAA Tournament as a No. 2 seed, expectations were sky-high for the Tigers. And they didn’t disappoint.
In the opening round, Auburn made quick work of Drexel, dominating every facet of the game. In the second round, they faced a dangerous Michigan squad and weathered a furious second-half rally to hold on for a gutsy win.
The Sweet 16 brought a battle with Oregon, and Auburn was up to the challenge. Behind a dominant second-half performance, the Tigers ran away with a 72-58 victory.
Their Elite Eight showdown with Connecticut was one for the ages. Back-and-forth, physical, and emotionally draining, the game came down to the final possession. Auburn fell short in heartbreaking fashion, but their performance validated their place among the sport’s elite.
While the loss stung, it could not diminish what had been achieved.
Rewriting the Narrative
Auburn’s season was more than just numbers and trophies. It was about changing how people viewed women’s basketball on the Plains. The Tigers were no longer an afterthought. They were a brand.
Media coverage exploded. ESPN gave them primetime slots. The SEC Network chronicled their rise with a behind-the-scenes documentary. Social media was buzzing after every win, and fans of all ages began donning orange and blue to support their team.
Recruits noticed too. Auburn landed two five-star prospects during the season, both citing the program’s culture and on-court success as reasons for committing. The Tigers were building something special — and the basketball world was watching.
Looking Ahead: Sustaining Greatness
What makes this Auburn run so exciting is that it doesn’t feel like a one-hit wonder. The core of the team returns next season, including Shaw, Smith, and multiple key contributors.
Ramani Parker and Honesty Scott-Grayson will leave big shoes to fill, but with a top-five recruiting class inbound and the transfer portal buzzing, Auburn has the tools to reload rather than rebuild.
Coach Harris has made it clear: Auburn isn’t satisfied. This isn’t the end of the road — it’s just the beginning.
The goals next season will be even higher: Win the SEC outright. Return to the Final Four. Compete for a national title.
If this season was about proving they belong, next season will be about claiming what they now believe is rightfully theirs.