This is a sample of The Power Rank 2025 Bracket Advice. To get the full bracket advice, become a member of The Power Rank or purchase as a separate product.
Auburn started the season 11th in the preseason AP poll, perhaps because they got upset in the first round of the tournament by Yale last season. Bruce Pearl’s team has made the pollsters look silly with an outstanding season.
Big Johni Broome leads this team on both ends of the floor. His shooting isn’t that great (55.9% from 2, 28.9% from 3), but his rebounding numbers on both ends of the floor are up this season, his 5th in college basketball.
Broome is also an excellent defender and blocks shots at a high rate. If there is any criticism, Broome is on the thin side at 6’10”, 240 pounds. Larger, less talented players can potentially take advantage of that.
Auburn excels on offense with the number one adjusted points per possesion in the nation. Broome leads the way, but they also have solid perimeter players that can shoot. At their best, their ball movement leads to easy shots all over the court.
Chad Baker-Mazara is probably the best of these perimeter players. While carrying no weight at 6’7” and 180 pounds, Baker-Mazara has no fear and also passes the ball well. His shooting numbers are excellent (53.4% from 2, 39.1% from 3).
Miles Kelly transferred in from Georgia Tech and has solid shooting numbers, especially his 39.2% from three. However, his three point percentage is the best of his career by far, which suggests some regression.
Auburn has the second lowest adjusted turnover rate in the nation. Denver Jones usually starts at point guard, and he should get some credit. Freshman Tahaad Pettiford is a 5 star recruit that has also started when Jones was hurt.
Auburn also ranks 10th on defense in my adjusted efficiency. Big Dylan Cardwell is a key on defense through his shot blocking and effort.
Auburn has allowed opponents to make 29.4% of their threes this season. While this screams regression to the mean for most programs, Auburn has allowed 30.4% from three over the past five seasons. Bruce Pearl teams can play defense, so do not expect much regression.
Auburn belongs in the class of four teams that can win it all. However, I’m not as excited about this team as Duke and Florida. Broome has a ceiling as a player, and they might get further 3 point regression in the shooting of players like Kelly.
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