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Auburn

Joe Lunardi defends Auburn as No. 1 overall seed despite loss to Tennessee

IMG_6598by: Nick Kosko03/16/25nickkosko59
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Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

ESPN’s Joe Lunardi defended Auburn as a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament despite the Tigers’ SEC Tournament semifinal loss to Tennessee. The Vols beat the Tigers 70-65 Saturday.

But when you look at the resume, Auburn still has No. 1 seed material. For Lunardi, that’s despite whoever will win between Tennessee and Florida in the SEC finals.

Lunardi still had no doubts about Bruce Pearl and company. He explained Saturday on ESPN2, prior to North Texas vs. UAB.

“I believe that they are when you look at the overall body of work,” Lunardi said. “I joked a couple of weeks ago that they could forfeit the rest of the season and maybe still be No. 1 overall, and I believe that. It certainly is a bit eye-catching, guys, the way they played of late. But if this bump, if this two-week period and three losses had occurred in January, and they had the same record as now, we wouldn’t be having the conversation. They’re at the top of the bracket.”

Pearl was asked about his team’s resume despite not winning the SEC. Auburn proved it all year long according to head coach.

“They talk about the body of work as much as anything, the wins we had all season long, the strength of the league. We lost to a team that’s fighting for a 1 seed,” Pearl said. “Obviously I’m very proud of the SEC. Just incredibly proud to be a part of this tournament, to be a part of this league. These four teams that have made it to the championship game on Saturday, I don’t know that historically has there been four stronger teams as far as nationally ranked teams ever in a Final Four of an SEC tournament? I can’t imagine, not even close.

“Yeah, it means a lot to us. In other words, to me, this is one of the things I’ve talked to the team about, if you’re the No. 1 overall seed, then basically you had the best regular season from November all the way to March. We’d love to be able to hold onto that. We’ll find out Sunday.”

Auburn now awaits its fate on Selection Sunday while Florida plays Tennessee for the SEC crown. As it stands right now, Lunardi does not think the Gators can surpass Auburn as the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament bracket.