As the Auburn Tigers basked in the afterglow of their SEC Tournament victory, the horizon of the NCAA Tournament loomed large, with their focus now firmly fixed on their first-round opponent: the Yale Bulldogs.
Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl kept his focus squarely on the matchup at hand, despite much of the focus being on Auburn sent to the other side of the country for the first two rounds of the tournament.
"I'm not going to talk about it much," remarked Pearl. "Our guys should have celebrated Sunday and probably even Monday. What we did Monday is we met, we got a stretch, watched a little bit of film of how we guarded because they could understand that's why we won, the way we guarded, and that was it."
Pearl's deliberate approach underscores the Tigers' readiness to pivot towards the challenges that lie ahead in the NCAA Tournament, emphasizing the importance of maintaining focus and readiness for the next hurdle.
The Tigers, fresh off their SEC Tournament victory, have swiftly redirected their attention to the NCAA Tournament, with players already looking ahead to the next challenge.
"I'm happy now," said junior forward Chaney Johnson, reflecting on Auburn's recent triumph. "We celebrated with the guys. But it's on to the next one. We've got something else to achieve."
For Johnson, along with fellow transfer Denver Jones and freshman Aden Holloway, the upcoming NCAA Tournament marks a significant milestone, representing their first foray into the prestigious postseason competition.
"Being on national television and playing the best of the best because you don't make it here unless you are one of the best teams. That's what I'm most excited for," expressed Johnson, highlighting the magnitude of the tournament.
Auburn's storied basketball program boasts a rich history in the NCAA Tournament, with this year marking their 13th appearance overall and the fifth in the last six tournaments. The Tigers have established a formidable reputation, winning their opening game in 11 consecutive tournaments, a streak they aim to extend as they face Yale as the 4th seed in the opening round.
Reflecting on the team's journey leading up to this point, Pearl commended his players for their growth and cohesion throughout the season.
"I thought this was a good team that had a chance to be very good," stated Pearl. "We thought we would be a team that shot it better than the year before. We talked about whether or not this team was going to be able to defend and be physical enough. We were right about the shooting, and we became a better defensive team and became physical enough to be able to compete."
As Auburn prepares to square off against Yale, anticipation and excitement loom large. The stage is set for another thrilling chapter in Auburn's basketball journey, with fans eagerly awaiting the tip-off at Spokane Arena in Spokane, Washington.
The game, scheduled for 3:15 p.m. CT on Friday, with radio coverage provided by Andy Burcham and Randall Dickey on the Auburn Sports Network. Additionally, TNT will broadcast the game, featuring the commentary team of Lisa Byington, Steve Smith, Robbie Hummel, and Lauren Shehadi.
