What to know: Auburn basketball facing Alabama State or Saint Francis to start March Madness
AUBURN — Auburn basketball got its wish, but it came at a marginal cost.
The Tigers were named the No. 1 overall seed in this year's NCAA Tournament on Sunday, but with their draw, they'll be one of four teams in wait to find out who their first opponent is in round of 64 play.
PRICES, HOW TO BUY: Auburn basketball tickets for 2025 NCAA Tournament
Auburn's first game will be against one of two 16-seeds: Alabama State or Saint Francis. Those squads won't play until 5:40 p.m. Tuesday, and whichever the Tigers face, they'll also have to prep for a round of 32 matchup with 8-seed Louisville or 9-seed Creighton, both of which were runners-up in their respective conference tournaments.
Ready to win March Madness? Join USA TODAY’s Survivor Pool today
"I got some of my staff working Alabama State like that's going be the team," Bruce Pearl said. "I've got some other guys on my staff working on St. Francis, because that's going be the team we're going be playing against. That's why, right now, I'll probably spend my first day or two taking a look at Creighton and Louisville, and then once we know who we're playing, it'll have to be a quick study Tuesday night, Wednesday to be able to get ready to go at either"
As the Tigers prep for four different teams, here's what you need to know about the Hornets, the Friars, and when the Tigers will learn which is their opponent.
When does Auburn basketball know who its first NCAA Tournament opponent is?
The Tigers won't know who they're facing until Tuesday night, when Alabama State and Saint Francis tip off at 5:40 p.m. in Dayton, Ohio. It's one of four "First Four" matchups that'll take play between Tuesday and Wednesday.
Eleven-seed North Carolina and 10-seed San Diego State will also play Tuesday (8:10 p.m. CT, truTV), and 16-seeds American and Mount St. Mary's (5:40 p.m. CT, truTV), and 11-seeds Xavier and Texas (8:10 p.m. CT, truTV) will both play Wednesday.
Scouting report: Alabama State
- Scouting Alabama State
- Record: 19-15
- Overall seed: No. 67 (Bid type: Automatic)
- KenPom: -9.24 (No. 273)
- Stat leaders
- Points: G CJ Hines (14.4)
- Rebounds: G TJ Madlock (7.2)
- Steals: G Amarr Knox (1.7)
The Hornets finished fourth in the SWAC this year under third-year coach Tony Madlock, who's amid his best season yet in Montgomery. They're red-hot, too, winning 11 of their past 13 games, including their past six.
Scouting report: Saint Francis
- Scouting Saint Francis
- Record: 16-17
- Overall seed: No. 68 (Bid type: Automatic)
- KenPom: -12.76 (No. 311)
- Stat leaders
- Points: G Riley Parker (13.4)
- Rebounds: F Valentino Pinedo (6.5)
- Assists: G Riley Parker (3.4)
The Friars didn't finish above .500 in regular-season or conference play, but they're in a similar boat as Alabama State, emerging victorious in their past six games. Before that stretch, Saint Francis hadn't won more than two in a row.
Adam Cole is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at acole@gannett.com or on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @colereporter.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Auburn basketball: Tigers playing Alabama State or Saint Francis in NCAAT
Topics
-
Auburn's first round game is officially set. Time, date for March Madness first round game
What time does Auburn basketball play in March Madness Round of 64? Here’s time, date, TV for 2025 NCAA Tournament opener.Yahoo Sports - 11m -
Vermont women's basketball will face NC State to open March Madness: Bracket update
It's UVM women's basketball vs. NC State in March Madness to open the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Here’s what to know about the first-round game in RaleighYahoo Sports - 12h -
Oklahoma State women's basketball will face South Dakota State to open March Madness
It’s Oklahoma State women’s basketball vs. South Dakota State in March Madness to open the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Here’s what to know about the first-round game in Storrs, Conn.Yahoo Sports - 12h -
Alabama basketball’s March Madness opponent is Green Bay to open NCAA Tournament bracket
It’s Alabama vs. Green Bay in March Madness to open its 2025 NCAA Tournament women’s bracket. Here’s what to know about the first-round game.Yahoo Sports - 1h -
Ohio State women March Madness: Buckeyes face Montana State to open 2025 NCAA Tournament
It’s Ohio State women's basketball vs. Montana State to open NCAA Tournament bracket. Here’s what to know about the first-round game in Columbus.Yahoo Sports - 12h -
Game time set for UW-Green Bay women's basketball vs Alabama in 2025 NCAA tournament opener
What time does UW-Green Bay women's basketball play Alabama in March Madness? Here’s the game time for 2025 NCAA Tournament opener.Yahoo Sports - 9h -
Ohio State women's basketball vs. Montana State game time set for NCAA Tournament opener
What time does Ohio State women’s basketball play Montana State in March Madness? Here’s the game time for 2025 NCAA Tournament opener.Yahoo Sports - 9h -
Where Auburn basketball stands in March Madness bracket: 2025 NCAA Tournament update
Here's where Auburn basketball's March Madness bracketology and predictions stand on Selection Sunday.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
UNC women’s basketball to face Oregon State to open March Madness in 2025 NCAA Tournament
UNC women's basketball has made its fifth straight NCAA Tournament field. See who the Tar Heels face, predictions, updates and more.Yahoo Sports - 12h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Change is in the air as Ohio State opens spring practice
Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes opened spring practice on Monday.Yahoo Sports - 5m -
Change is in the air as Ohio State opens spring practice
Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes opened spring practice on Monday.Yahoo Sports - 5m -
'Fantastic motivation' - Maresca on Club World Cup
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says the Club World Cup is a "fantastic motivation" as his side look to win the newly-expanded competition. The competition has been expanded to 32 teams, including 12 ...Yahoo Sports - 7m -
'Fantastic motivation' - Maresca on Club World Cup
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says the Club World Cup is a "fantastic motivation" as his side look to win the newly-expanded competition. The competition has been expanded to 32 teams, including 12 ...Yahoo Sports - 7m -
NJCAA Region 20 Semis Report
Truth Norton of Howard CC is but one standout reviewed plus more, relative to the Region 20 semifinals.Yahoo Sports - 7m
More in Sports
-
Tee Higgins extension: A look at highest-paid No. 2 WRs in NFL after Bengals star lands record-setting deal
Higgins is becoming the highest paid No. 2 wide receiver in footballCBS Sports - 5m -
Change is in the air as Ohio State opens spring practice
Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes opened spring practice on Monday.Yahoo Sports - 5m -
Change is in the air as Ohio State opens spring practice
Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes opened spring practice on Monday.Yahoo Sports - 5m -
'Fantastic motivation' - Maresca on Club World Cup
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says the Club World Cup is a "fantastic motivation" as his side look to win the newly-expanded competition. The competition has been expanded to 32 teams, including 12 ...Yahoo Sports - 7m -
'Fantastic motivation' - Maresca on Club World Cup
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says the Club World Cup is a "fantastic motivation" as his side look to win the newly-expanded competition. The competition has been expanded to 32 teams, including 12 ...Yahoo Sports - 7m