Auburn Tigers Secure Fourth Place in Final AP Men’s Basketball Poll of 2024-25 Season
The Auburn Tigers have capped off a remarkable 2024-25 men’s college basketball season by securing the No. 4 spot in the final Associated Press (AP) Top 25 poll. This achievement reflects the team’s consistent excellence and deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
Under the leadership of Head Coach Bruce Pearl, the Tigers compiled an impressive 32-6 record. Their journey culminated in a Final Four appearance, marking only the second time in the program’s history that they reached this stage, the first being in 2019. In the national semifinals, Auburn faced the Florida Gators, a fellow Southeastern Conference (SEC) powerhouse. Despite a valiant effort, the Tigers fell short, with Florida advancing to ultimately claim the national championship by defeating Houston 65-63.
The final AP Top 25 rankings positioned Florida at No. 1, followed by Houston at No. 2, Duke at No. 3, and Auburn at No. 4. This placement underscores the strength of the SEC, with multiple teams securing top spots.
Auburn’s success this season can be attributed to several factors, including a balanced offensive attack, a tenacious defense, and the emergence of key players who stepped up during critical moments. The team’s depth and resilience were on full display throughout the tournament, earning them national recognition and respect.
In addition to the team’s accomplishments, individual accolades highlighted Auburn’s season. Head Coach Bruce Pearl was named co-recipient of the Associated Press Men’s College Basketball Coach of the Year award, sharing the honor with Rick Pitino of St. John’s. This marks the first tie in the award’s 58-year history and reflects Pearl’s exceptional leadership in guiding the Tigers to new heights.
Looking ahead, the Auburn Tigers aim to build upon this season’s success. With a solid foundation and a culture of excellence established under Coach Pearl, the program is poised to remain a formidable force in college basketball in the coming years.
