Auburn is one win away from the Final Four

It’s truly difficult to put into words what this Auburn basketball team has accomplished this season, but judging by the overwhelming joy it has brought the Auburn Family, it’s easy to see just how special this group has become in the eyes of its fans.

Surely no one expected the Tigers to advance to the Elite Eight after their midseason struggles, but here we are just hours from tipoff as #5 seed Auburn (29-9) takes on its third consecutive blue-blood opponent in the NCAA Tournament as #2 seed Kentucky (30-6) stands in the way of the Tigers’ first ever Final Four appearance.

Today’s game will mark the third time the two teams have met this season after the Wildcats clipped Auburn by a bucket on the plains in their first meeting, 82-80 on January 19.

But it was the second matchup that may have sparked the turning point for Bruce Pearl’s squad.

There’s an old saying that Bruce has shared with his team a time or two – “adversity reveals character.” And for Auburn Basketball there was nothing more heart-wrenching than getting absolutely embarrassed in Rupp Arena on February 23 when John Calipari’s Wildcats waxed the floor with the Tigers, defeating Auburn by 27 points, 80-53.

Not many teams could bounce back from such a devastating loss, but then again, most teams aren’t coached by someone as extraordinary as Bruce Pearl.

The Auburn head coach didn’t hold back after the game calling it exactly what it was, an “ass-whoopin’.” Pearl went onto say, “It’s embarrassing. We were humbled, not ready for primetime. I’ll put that on myself. But it was one loss, so we can’t let this ass-whoopin’ turn into more than one loss.”

Adversity reveals character and on that late February day in Lexington, Kentucky when the rest of the country dismissed Auburn Basketball as a pretender, the Tigers rallied to begin a streak of 11 consecutive victories that has included an SEC Tournament Championship and the program’s second ever appearance in the Elite Eight after surviving New Mexico State in the opening round, 78-77 and then demolishing college basketball blue-bloods Kansas and #1 seed North Carolina by a combined 31 points.

After Auburn pulled off the largest win by an SEC team over a #1 seed in NCAA Tournament history — Auburn 97 North Carolina 80 — the mood in the Tiger locker room was somber after adversity had struck again.

With 8:08 left in the game, sophomore superstar Chuma Okeke cut to the basket while receiving a pass before falling to the floor in agonizing pain after his knee buckled, which we learned yesterday resulted in an ACL tear. Okeke is scheduled to have surgery on Tuesday.

Adversity reveals character.

Now Bruce Pearl’s team must rally yet again and bounce back from an even more devastating loss than what they experienced in Rupp Arena back in late February. Okeke was not only Auburn’s best all-around player, but he had proven to be one of the best players in the entire NCAA Tournament. And more importantly, Chuma is a brother to the rest of his teammates and one of the most beloved players on the Auburn roster.

The hashtag “#DoItForChuma” has resonated across the social media landscape as the rallying cry for these Tigers who want to honor their brother by doing something no Auburn basketball team has ever done in advancing to the school’s first ever trip to the Final Four.

But in order for Auburn to do that, the Tigers must defeat their third straight college basketball blue-blood opponent, Kentucky, who stands in the way of Auburn punching their ticket to Minneapolis, Minnesota, site of the 2019 Final Four.

Calipari’s club has had to deal with some minor adversity on their own accord in the tourney. Kentucky’s best player, PJ Washington has been banged up throughout the tournament and was expected to miss the Wildcats’ Sweet Sixteen matchup with Houston. However, Washington notified Coach Cal right before tipoff that his injured foot felt good and he wanted to play, so after going 6 of 8 from the field and pouring in 16 points in the win, it’s safe to say that PJ Washington is back.

The big man scored 24 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in the matchup with Auburn in Rupp Arena, so the Tigers will have their hands full today in trying to contain him. If Auburn intends on slowing down Washington, Pearl will need to throw a lot of bodies at him in hopes of wearing him down, but in order for that plan to work, it’s imperative that the Tigers avoid getting into foul trouble in the frontcourt.

The biggest key for Auburn will undoubtedly be filling the void left by Okeke. Danjel Purifoy will be the next man up and should get the start at the power forward spot. This means he’ll likely be guarding Washington, which will be a significant challenge, but if there’s anyone that’s more than willing to meet that challenge it’s Purifoy who knows all about overcoming adversity.

Just like they’ve done all season, Auburn will be looking to play fast today versus Kentucky, but without Okeke the Tigers may try to play even faster. If the threes start falling like they have in previous NCAA tourney games for Auburn, there’s no doubt that this team can make history.

But regardless of today’s outcome, we should all be so very proud of the way this team has represented Auburn University and especially the way they have risen above their most traumatic adversities by sticking together.

Adversity reveals character, and the character that’s been revealed by Bruce Pearl and Auburn Basketball this year has given the Auburn Family one of the most memorable seasons in the history of Auburn Atheltics.

But we’re not done yet. Besides, why not Auburn? Why not us?

Game Info: Sunday, 1:29 P.M. CST, from Kansas City, Missouri

TV: CBS

Prediction: Auburn 88 Kentucky 83