Auburn Basketball History

Unless you are a die-hard basketball fan, you probably don't know much about Auburn basketball history. The Auburn Tigers men’s basketball program is overshadowed by Auburn's football program. Still, Auburn basketball has built a substantial legacy of success.

Auburn basketball jam

Thanks to www.helmsingphoto.com for the photo

The Auburn Tigers men’s basketball team made its debut in 1905 under Head Coach Mike Donahue, who served in that capacity for 16 seasons. To date, Donahue is still the longest tenured Head Coach in team history. The school’s all-time winningest coach was Joel Eaves who coached from 1949-1963, and compiled a record of 213-100 (.681 winning percentage) over that period.

AU was one of the charter members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), formed in 1932. Its pinnacle of Southeastern Conference success came in 1985 when the Tigers, then coached by Sonny Smith, won the SEC tournament. In addition to that conference tournament victory, Auburn has also won two regular season Southeastern Conference championships. Those came in 1960 and 1999.

Auburn basketball history also boasts of success nationally, appearing in the NCAA Tournament 8 times. Of those 8 appearances, the Tigers have made the "Sweet 16" three times and the "Elite Eight" once.

Despite a somewhat more limited track record of success than many SEC basketball programs, Auburn basketball history has nonetheless had their share of former players go on to play in the NBA. The most well known, and most successful, of these former Tigers is the player known as the “Round Mound of Rebound”, Charles Barkley, who won the NCAA Player of the Year award in 1984. Other former Tigers who went on to success in the NBA include Wesley Person, Marquis Daniels, Moochie Norris, Eddie Johnson, and Chris Porter.

Auburn Tigers Slam Dunk

Thanks to www.helmsingphoto.com for the photo

The Auburn Tigers are currently coached by Jeff Lebo, who his completed 3 seasons as Head Coach. And after two transitional years of relatively modest success, he led the 2007 team a winning record of 17-15 overall, and a respectable 7-9 SEC record.

Auburn University basketball plays their home games in Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum, located in Auburn, Alabama. The 10,500 seat arena opened in 1969.

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