The Auburn-Alabama rivalry has staged many classics on the football field. In the 1984 Iron Bowl, former Auburn star Bo Jackson ran the wrong way on a block to seal a win for Alabama. A late touchdown in 2009 helped Alabama win a rivalry game and remain undefeated in what would be a national championship season. And 2013 produced the infamous “Kick Six,” when Auburn’s Chris Davis returned a failed field goal attempt for a touchdown in the final seconds.
On Saturday afternoon in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, No. 1 Auburn and No. 2 Alabama created their own memorable affair on the hardwood in a thrilling game with SEC and Selection Sunday implications. Despite never having the lead — and trailing by double digits for a chunk of it — Alabama made a late run to tie the score at 65-65 with around eight minutes to play.
And then, Johni Broome, the national player of the year candidate, aggravated an ankle injury that cost him multiple games earlier this season. Yet, Auburn continued to battle and secure the 94-85 win over its in-state rival.
The first AP No. 1 vs No. 2 matchup in SEC history offered the theater many had anticipated when the most balanced team in America took on one of the nation’s greatest offensive squads. It was a unique moment for two programs that have crashed the blue blood party in college basketball, and evolved into perennial national title contenders.
The winner, Auburn, cemented its edge in the SEC title race, and the pursuit of the top overall seed. The loser, Alabama, must regroup and prepare for the rematch in Auburn in three weeks.
ESPN’s Myron Medcalf, Jeff Borzello and Joe Lunardi break down everything that happened, and the lasting effects.
