Auburn University’s men’s basketball team has lost its No. 1 ranking in the final Associated Press (AP) poll of the regular season, ending an eight-week tenure at the top. The Tigers dropped to No. 3 following consecutive losses to Texas A&M and Alabama.
In their penultimate regular-season game, Auburn was defeated by No. 22 Texas A&M with a score of 83-72. Texas A&M’s Zhuric Phelps led the game with 19 points. Subsequently, Auburn faced No. 7 Alabama and lost 93-91 in an overtime thriller. Alabama’s Mark Sears secured the win with a last-second shot, while Auburn’s Johni Broome delivered a standout performance with a career-high 34 points.
These back-to-back defeats led to significant changes in the AP poll. Duke University ascended to the No. 1 spot for the first time since November 2021, receiving 52 of 61 first-place votes. Houston moved up to No. 2, while Auburn, despite the losses, remained a strong contender for a top seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament.
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) continues to showcase its strength, with three teams—Auburn, Florida, and Alabama—occupying spots in the top five of the AP poll. As the postseason approaches, Auburn aims to rebound and demonstrate the resilience that characterized its season prior to these recent setbacks.