After suffering through years and years of mediocrity, it seems that 2019 is the year that Auburn has finally turned the page. Auburn will play Virginia on Saturday, with a chance to go to the national championship… IN BASKETBALL.
This is only the 10th time that Auburn has made it to the big dance. To put it in perspective, the University of Kentucky, A.K.A Auburn’s latest victim, has been to 17 final fours. UCLA has 11 national championships! They’ve raised more banners than Auburn has even had the chance to. To say that what Bruce Pearl has done for the program is outstanding, is an absolute understatement.
As an Auburn fan, I’ve had the unfortunate opportunity to witness some of the absolute worst college basketball that you’ve ever laid your eyes on, it was a rough bunch of years. I’ll always feel bad for guys like Frankie Sullivan, Rob Chubb, KT Harrell, and Antoine Mason, as they never got the opportunity to see the program succeed the way that it should have while those guys were there. Jeff Lebo and Tony Barbee brought essentially nothing to the program for the combined ten years those two were head coach of Auburn. Especially Tony Barbee, that guy never once seemed like he actually cared about Auburn, and I find it so rich that whenever UK comes down to Auburn, he somehow finds a way to be elsewhere doing “recruiting.” Seriously though, KT Harrell was an absolute monster.
To see the level of incline that the program has gone through over the Bruce Pearl era is astonishing. From the level of talent increasing to the number in the win column increasing, to the rise of one of the best student sections in the nation, the jungle.
This team has accomplished so much throughout the year. They’ve just beaten three of the biggest programs in college basketball history, back to back to back. They smushed Kansas. They dominated UNC from beginning to end. They persevered through Chuma Okeke’s devastating injury, and triumphed over UK. From the leadership of Jared Harper, to the lethal clip that Bryce Brown possesses, To Malik Dunbar’s spark plug energy and hustle, to Danjel Purifoy’s character for pushing through his struggles, to J’Von McCormick’s unbelievable gutsy playmaking ability, everyone brings something immeasurable to the table, even Cole Blackstock, Will Macoy and the gang who ride it out on the bench, but are always some of the most involved, Auburn’s team is so well rounded and well-bonded with one another.
If I wanted to, I could write about this team for ever and ever, but I feel that it is best that I leave it at this. Auburn is in the final four. Alabama lost to Norfolk State in the first round of the NIT this year. Bruce Pearl is one of the best coaches out there and has cemented his name in the history of this program. Charles Barkley’s support on the pre/post game shows is impeccable. Auburn is no longer just a football school. And finally, WAR EAGLE!
