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NCAA Tournament 2019: Top takeaways from 1st half of Round of 32 games

By Brian Rauf

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - MARCH 23: Tremont Waters #3 of the LSU Tigers goes up for a shot against Jalen Smith #25 of the Maryland Terrapins during the second half of the game in the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Vystar Memorial Arena on March 23, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - MARCH 23: Tremont Waters #3 of the LSU Tigers goes up for a shot against Jalen Smith #25 of the Maryland Terrapins during the second half of the game in the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Vystar Memorial Arena on March 23, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – MARCH 23: Anfernee McLemore #24 and Bryce Brown #2 of the Auburn Tigers react to a play against the Kansas Jayhawks during their game in the Second Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 23, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – MARCH 23: Anfernee McLemore #24 and Bryce Brown #2 of the Auburn Tigers react to a play against the Kansas Jayhawks during their game in the Second Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 23, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

8) Yeah, Auburn’s red hot

Remember when Auburn nearly choked away a late lead against New Mexico State in the first round? Those memories are long gone following the Tigers’ blowout victory over Kansas on Saturday night.

Auburn played the way they did during their SEC Tournament run, dictating tempo with their fast-paced offense while shooting – and making – a ton of threes.

The avalanche started early Saturday night and never relented as Kansas was simply never given a chance to get into the game. They dominated on the break as they built a double-digit lead in the first five minutes and saw the lead balloon to 20 just 10 minutes later.

Bryce Brown led the way for Auburn but everyone got in on the act as they showcased their depth.

Now the Tigers head into the Sweet 16 as perhaps the hottest team in the tournament ahead of a likely matchup against North Carolina. Largely thanks to this shooting, Auburn has won 10 games in a row since that 27-point loss at the hands of Kentucky.

dark. Next. Takeaways from NCAA Tournament's first round

We’ve seen hot-shooting teams make long runs before and no one is shooting hotter than Auburn. Don’t count them out from pulling off another upset or two.

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