This stat makes Auburn basketball a National Title contender

The Auburn Tigers are a contender to win the NCAA Tournament.

The Auburn Tigers moved to 5-0 in SEC play with a big win over the #22 Ole Miss Rebels. 

This win came in blowout fashion as the Tigers won 82-59. Every single one of Auburn's 16 wins this season has come via double digits. Even in the Texas A&M game, which was tight late, Auburn was able to stretch out a lead and win that game by 11 points. Auburn will have a much tougher week coming up with trips to Tuscaloosa and Starkville on the schedule. Both Alabama and Mississippi State are solid teams and will be opportunities for Auburn to pick up Quad 1 wins. If the Tigers are able to take down both of these opponents, there is no way this isn't a top-five team in college basketball. 

When it comes to this Auburn team, statistically, all of the different metrics love them. Auburn is a top-ten team in both adjusted offense and defense on KenPom. For a team to be considered a title contender, they need to be a top 40 offense in KenPom and a top 22 defense. With the Tigers being in the top ten in both categories, they fit the build. This Auburn team can make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, and the numbers back that statement. 

Coach Bruce Pearl had this to say about Auburn's defense this year and against Ole Miss, "They're locked in," Pearl said. "I think they're beginning to enjoy the fact that they have the ability to make it difficult on the opponent. And they're creating some defense from their offense."

Auburn is playing incredible basketball right now, and moving to 7-0 in SEC play with wins over Alabama and Mississippi State would further add to the case for this team to be a high seed in the tournament.