LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Auburn Tigers, the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, are set to play the Alabama State Hornets in the first round Thursday. The game is the Tigers’ first in the Big Dance since their first-round exit at the hands of Yale a year ago.
Alabama State snuck into the tournament by way of winning the SWAC Tournament final over Jackson State. They were selected as one of the teams to play a First Four game in Dayton, and the beat Saint Francis to set their date with Auburn.
Alabama State has a record of 20-15, going 12-6 in SWAC play, good enough for fourth in the regular season standings. Since the calendar flipped to March, the Hornets have been unstoppable. They are 7-0 this month including their run to the tournament title that earned them a bid for March Madness.
For Auburn, March has been less than stellar. After starting SEC play 15-1 and securing a regular season title, the Tigers dropped three of their last four regular season and conference tournament games. It’s worth noting, as Head Coach Bruce Pearl pointed out, that all of those losses came at the hands of a team seeded on the four line or higher in the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers are looking to make a statement and back up their top overall seed.
Alabama State is led by the backcourt trio of Amarr Knox, CJ Hones, and TJ Madlock. The three combine for 41.3 points per game, and Madlock averages 7.2 rebounds to lead the team. Hines is a high-volume scorer that makes his presence known from beyong the arc, shooting 38.9 percent from three. Bama State’s guards will need to be at their best for any chance at an upset.
Auburn has talent and production all throughout the lineup, starting with All-American big man Johni Broome. Broome leads the Tigers in four of the five major statistical categories, averaging 18.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.3 blocks per contest. His season has been on par with many recent National Player of the Year recipients, and he is looking to be the next. Broome is surrounded by depth, with four teammates averaging double figure scoring. Anything less than control of the game from start to finish will be a disappointment for a team this talented.
The NCAA Tournament first round starts Thursday, and Auburn and Alabama State face off at 1:50 p.m. CT at Rupp Arena. Watch on CBS or listen on the Auburn Sports Network.
