NCAA Basketball: Top 16 breakdown, belief in Maryland, and more weekly takeaways

4) Auburn is flawed, but is still really good

So much of the conversation surrounding Auburn this season has been about what they can’t do and why they aren’t as good as their 21-2 record says they are.

There is some truth to that, and I’ve talked about their limitations before in past Rauf Reports this season. They do struggle to score in the half-court and really aren’t a great shooting team, although they can be very streaky.

But following yet another comeback win, this time over LSU, it’s impossible to ignore all the things the Tigers do well. Samir Doughty, J’Von McCormick, and Isaac Okoro are as good and as athletic as any backcourt in the country, and all of them are capable of taking over a game on either end of the court. And when those three can get out in transition, special things can happen.

The biggest thing they’ve shown over the past two weeks is their ability to close games. Three of their last four games – all of which have been victories – have come in overtime. Auburn has trailed in the second half in all four, too.

Against LSU, they did so by doing what they do best. They pushed the tempo, played quick to get and take open shots outside, and pressed defensively to force turnovers.

It’s a simple recipe for success and Auburn (likely) won’t beat anyone playing any other way, but they haven’t had to. They’re good enough in their style to make another run to the NCAA Tournament’s second weekend.