Jay Williams casts doubt on Auburn following sluggish end to season, SEC tournament loss

Auburn is likely to be the first team named on Selection Sunday after an incredible season. But the tail end has not been too pretty, capped off by an SEC Tournament semifinal loss to Tennessee. Three out of the last four contests have resulted in losses heading into the NCAA Tournament.

Turns out, nobody has been able to lose three of four and go on to win a national championship. ESPN’s Jay Williams pointed the stat out and seemingly cast doubt on Auburn eventually getting the job done.

“Auburn lost 3 of its last 4 games,” Williams said via X. “No team has ever lost 3 of its last 4 games entering the NCAA Tournament and gone on to win the national championship.”

If there is a positive spin on the losing trend, it’s the strength of schedule Auburn has gone up against recently. All of them are going to not only be in the NCAA Tournament but be highly ranked. This year’s SEC has been one of the best conferences in college basketball history and the Tigers have certainly felt that recently.

Bruce Pearl was even asked if he was worried about his squad after losing to Tennessee. He had some fun with the response as he prepares to compete for a national championship.

“I’m really glad you asked me that question. We lost to Alabama, Tennessee and at Texas A&M. Yeah, we’re panicked. That’s a real softball,” Pearl joked.

“We lost to some great teams, we lost at the buzzer against Alabama. We had possessions here. Yeah, we’re panicked. I can hardly wait till next weekend to start playing again. Let’s get to Sunday, find out where we’re going, find out who we’re playing and let’s get back to work. I’m looking forward, not back.”

Auburn’s schedule is going to lighten up, at least in their first game. A 16-seed will be on the other side before getting the winner of an eight/nine matchup in the Round of 32. Many people filling in brackets, even those doubting Auburn, will be penciling them into the Sweet Sixteen.

But the goal on the Plains is to be the final team standing in San Antonio. Based on the stat Williams provided, history is now against them. Pearl has been telling his team all season to make history and can by winning the school’s first-ever national championship the first weekend of April.