Copy:
Analytically, Auburn was handed the toughest draws of any of the No. 1 seeds, but styles make fights and the Tigers' version of math-ball is set up to make a real run in the South Region. Assuming Auburn can take care of business against Alabama State or Saint Francis, Bruce Pearl's club will get a shot at Louisville or Creighton.
Both of those clubs rank in the top-20 in 3-point rate. They need 3s to win. Auburn is one of the elite 3-point defenses in the sport. Pearl has this team blanketing the 3-point stripe left and right: No high-major team allowed less treys than the Tigers. Plus, there are offensive questions galore for numerous top teams in this region.
Since Feb. 1, there is just one other top-20 offense in this region: No. 6 seed Ole Miss. Fourth-seeded Texas A&M is 45th. Fifth-seeded Michigan is 102nd. Second-seeded Michigan State is 57th. No. 3 seed Iowa State is 40th, and starting guard Keshon Gilbert is sidelined for the not-so-distant future. That's the batch of top contenders that has to outlast an Auburn team that built one of the highest-rated offenses of the modern era.
Analytically, Auburn was handed the toughest draws of any of the No. 1 seeds, but styles make fights and the Tigers' version of math-ball is set up to make a real run in the South Region. Assuming Auburn can take care of business against Alabama State or Saint Francis, Bruce Pearl's club will get a shot at Louisville or Creighton.
Both of those clubs rank in the top-20 in 3-point rate. They need 3s to win. Auburn is one of the elite 3-point defenses in the sport. Pearl has this team blanketing the 3-point stripe left and right: No high-major team allowed less treys than the Tigers. Plus, there are offensive questions galore for numerous top teams in this region.
Since Feb. 1, there is just one other top-20 offense in this region: No. 6 seed Ole Miss. Fourth-seeded Texas A&M is 45th. Fifth-seeded Michigan is 102nd. Second-seeded Michigan State is 57th. No. 3 seed Iowa State is 40th, and starting guard Keshon Gilbert is sidelined for the not-so-distant future. That's the batch of top contenders that has to outlast an Auburn team that built one of the highest-rated offenses of the modern era.
