Auburn Faces Alabama State in NCAA Tournament First Round

The Auburn Tigers are set to face the Alabama State Hornets in the NCAA Tournament's first round at Rupp Arena on Thursday, having previously defeated Alabama State 82-62 in their last meeting. Auburn, the overall No. 1 seed and coming off a challenging stretch with three losses in their last four games, aims to advance past the second round for the first time in five tournaments. Alabama State enters the matchup full of momentum after a thrilling last-second victory over Saint Francis, marking their first NCAA tournament appearance. Auburn coach Bruce Pearl emphasizes the importance of stepping up, recalling the team's disappointing early exit last year. Players like Johni Broome and Miles Kelly express determination to perform at their best and focus on the present, while Alabama State's coach Tony Madlock brings familiarity with Auburn to the game. As both teams prepare for what is described as a classic David vs. Goliath matchup, the stakes are high for the Tigers to prove their status as the top seed.