No. 1 Auburn Takes Down No. 2 Alabama in Historic Rivalry Showdown

Welcome back hoops fans!

This is the 31st edition of The Hoops Insider, where we bring you the latest updates from the world of hoops. Today we cove a matchup that captured the attention of the entire college basketball world, No. 1 Auburn traveled to Tuscaloosa and defeated No. 2 Alabama 94-85 on Saturday, February 15, 2025. Let’s hop right into it.

Historic Significance

Saturday's contest represented the first time these bitter rivals have ever met as top-10 teams, let alone as the top two programs in the nation. Auburn's victory was particularly notable as it marked their first win over an AP top-two ranked team since 1988, snapping a 20-game losing streak in such matchups.

"All eyes in college basketball were on the state of Alabama and the SEC," Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said after the game. "What this conference has done in men's basketball is historic."

The Tigers set the tone early, jumping out to a 9-0 lead and never relinquishing control throughout the contest. Despite a valiant Alabama comeback that tied the game after trailing by as many as 14 points in the second half, Auburn maintained composure down the stretch.

Alabama never led in the game - the first time in 87 home games under coach Nate Oats that the Crimson Tide failed to hold a lead at any point.

Star Performances

Auburn forward Johni Broome used the national spotlight to bolster his player of the year campaign, delivering a dominant all-around performance with 24 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 5 blocks. Despite briefly leaving with a lower-body injury late in the second half, Broome returned to score Auburn's final two field goals.

"I came in trying to be aggressive, and I was kind of feeling it a little bit, so went and made some plays," Broome said.

For Alabama, Mark Sears led the way with 18 points, while Grant Nelson contributed 25 points and 6 rebounds. However, the Crimson Tide struggled from beyond the arc, connecting on just 5 of 26 three-point attempts (19.2%).

Looking Ahead

This showdown highlighted the SEC's emergence as college basketball's premier conference this season. Auburn improved to 23-2 overall and 11-1 in conference play, while adding to their impressive résumé that now includes nine wins over AP-ranked opponents.

"We're not in full control of our destiny to win the league outright, but we are in control of our destiny to at least get a tie going forward," Alabama coach Nate Oats noted, already looking ahead to the rematch.

The basketball world won't have to wait long for a potential rematch between these powerhouses. The teams are scheduled to meet again on March 8 at Auburn Arena, with possible additional matchups looming in both the SEC and NCAA tournaments.

As Coach Pearl noted after the victory: "That's how the No. 1 teams in the country should act, that's how they should compete, that's how they should play."

With both programs firmly established among the elite in college basketball, this rivalry has ascended to national prominence, transforming what was once primarily a football rivalry into one of the most compelling narratives in college basketball this season.

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