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Auburn Tigers women's basketball

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Auburn Tigers women's basketball
2024–25 Auburn Tigers women's basketball team
UniversityAuburn University
First season1972
All-time record946–497 (.656)
Athletic directorJohn Cohen
Head coachJohnnie Harris (4th season)
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
LocationAuburn, Alabama
ArenaAuburn Arena
(capacity: 9,121)
NicknameTigers
ColorsBurnt orange and navy blue[1]
   
Uniforms
Home jersey
Team colours
Home
Away jersey
Team colours
Away
Alternate jersey
Team colours
Alternate
NCAA tournament runner-up
1988, 1989, 1990
NCAA tournament Final Four
1988, 1989, 1990
NCAA tournament Elite Eight
1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1996
NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen
1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1996
NCAA tournament appearances
1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2024
Conference tournament champions
1981, 1987, 1990, 1997
Conference regular season champions
1981, 1987, 1988, 1989, 2009

The Auburn Tigers women's basketball program is the intercollegiate women's basketball team that represents Auburn University. The school competes in the Southeastern Conference in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Tigers play their homes games at Auburn Arena in Auburn, Alabama on the university campus. The program began in 1971.[2]

Auburn has won five SEC regular season championships and four SEC tournament championships. Auburn has appeared in the NCAA tournament 21 times, making it as far as the championship game three times in a row in 1988, 1989, and 1990.[3] Auburn has produced eight WNBA draft picks, including DeWanna Bonner who was selected with the fifth overall pick, the highest in Auburn history. Eight Auburn players have been named All-Americans[4] and Auburn has had 73 All-SEC selections. Four Auburn players have been named SEC Player of the Year: Vickie Orr in 1988, Carolyn Jones in 1990 and 1991, Lauretta Freeman in 1993, and DeWanna Bonner in 2009.[5] Former head coaches Joe Ciampi and Nell Fortner have been selected as SEC Coach of the Year a total of four times.[6]

History

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The Auburn women's basketball team has been consistently competitive both nationally and within the SEC. Despite playing in the same conference as perennial powerhouse Tennessee and other competitive programs such as LSU, Georgia, Kentucky and Vanderbilt, and more recently, South Carolina, Mississippi State and Texas A&M, Auburn has won five regular season SEC championships and four SEC tournament championships. Auburn has made 21 appearances in the NCAA women's basketball tournament, advancing to the Sweet 16 seven times and the Elite Eight six times. Auburn played in three consecutive National Championship games in 1988, 1989 and 1990, and won the Women's NIT in 2003.[7]

When Coach Joe Ciampi announced his retirement after 25 years at the end of the 2003–2004 season, the resulting search snared the highly experienced, former Purdue and US National and Olympic team head coach, Nell Fortner.[8] Fortner coached the team through the 2011–2012 season, including a 2009 SEC regular-season championship and a 30–4 record. The Tigers made two NCAA Tournament appearances in Fortner's eight-year tenure.

Fortner was replaced in 2012 by Terri Williams-Flournoy who had been the head coach at Georgetown University for eight seasons.[9][10] Williams-Flournoy directed the Tigers to three NCAA Tournament appearances, a pair of 20-win seasons and two trips to the WNIT in her nine seasons.

Williams-Flournoy was relieved of her coaching duties following the 2020–21 season.[11] On April 3, 2021, Johnnie Harris was named the program's seventh head coach.[12]

Standout former Auburn players include: Mae Ola Bolton, Ruthie Bolton, Vickie Orr, Carolyn Jones, Chantel Tremitiere, Lauretta Freeman, Le'coe Willingham, DeWanna Bonner, Monique Morehouse, Blanche Alverson, Tyrese Tanner and Unique Thompson.

Players

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Awards and honors

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Retired jerseys

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No. Player Years
21 Carolyn Jones 1988–91
24 DeWanna Bonner 2005–09
25 Ruthie Bolton 1985–89
34 Becky Jackson 1980–84
50 Vickie Orr 1985–89

All-Americans

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Player Year(s) Selectors
Marianne Merritt 1979 HM, NSA
Becky Jackson (3) 1981, 1983, 1984 AWSF, WBCA
Martha Monk 1981 AWSF
Vickie Orr (3) 1987, 1988, 1989 WBCA, USBWA
Carolyn Jones (2) 1990, 1991 WBCA
Lauretta Freeman 1993 WBCA
DeWanna Bonner (2) 2008, 2009 HM, AP, WBCA, USBWA
Whitney Boddie 2009 HM, AP, USBWA
Unique Thompson 2020, 2021 HM, AP, USBWA

Other honors

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SEC Player of the Year

SEC Tournament MVP

SEC Freshman of the Year

  • Mae Ola Bolton (1985)
  • Kristen Mulligan (1993)

SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year

  • Blanche Alverson (2012, 2013)
  • Katie Frerking (2017)

Auburn in the WNBA

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WNBA Draft picks

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Auburn has produced eight WNBA draft picks, including three in the inaugural 1997 draft. DeWanna Bonner holds the record for the highest draft pick from Auburn, selected 5th overall in the 2009 draft.

Year Round Pick Player Team
1997 Assigned by league Ruthie Bolton-Holifield Sacramento Monarchs
3 18 Chantel Tremitiere Sacramento Monarchs
Developmental player Tara Williams Phoenix Mercury
1999 4 42 Carolyn Jones-Young New York Liberty
2000 3 33 Monique Morehouse Cleveland Rockers
2006 3 42 Marita Payne Connecticut Sun
2009 1 5 DeWanna Bonner Phoenix Mercury
2 20 Whitney Boddie Sacramento Monarchs
2021 2 19 Unique Thompson Indiana Fever

Undrafted free agents

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In addition to its eight WNBA draft picks, Auburn has had two undrafted free agents that went on to have WNBA careers.

Awards and honors

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Sixth Woman of the Year

All-Stars

Auburn in the Olympics

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Year Player Medal
1992  Carolyn Jones (USA)  Bronze
 Vickie Orr (USA)
1996  Ruthie Bolton-Holifield (USA)  Gold
2000  Ruthie Bolton-Holifield (USA)  Gold

Championships and postseason

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SEC regular season championships

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Auburn has won five regular season Southeastern Conference championships in its history.

Year Conference Overall record Conference record Coach
1981 SEC 26–7 5–2 Joe Ciampi
1987 SEC 31–2 8–1 Joe Ciampi
1988 SEC 32–3 9–0 Joe Ciampi
1989 SEC 32–2 9–0 Joe Ciampi
2009 SEC 30–4 12–2 Nell Fortner

SEC Tournament

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Auburn has won the SEC tournament four times, all under Joe Ciampi. Auburn defeated rival Alabama in the 1981 tournament 85–71 to win their first ever SEC Tournament title in the second edition of the tournament. Six years later in 1987, Auburn routed Georgia by a score of 83–57 to win their second championship. After losing in the championship game to Tennessee twice in a row in the following years, Auburn defeated Tennessee in the 1990 championship game 78–77. Auburn won its most recent SEC Tournament championship in 1997, defeating Florida 52–47. Auburn has reached the SEC Tournament final four other times, falling to Tennessee in 1985, 1988, and 1989 and falling to Vanderbilt in 2009.

Four Auburn players have been selected as SEC Tournament MVP: Becky Jackson in 1981, Vickie Orr in 1987, Carolyn Jones in 1990, and Laticia Morris in 1997. Auburn has had 22 players selected to the SEC All-Tournament teams, including most recently DeWanna Bonner and Whitney Boddie in 2009.

Season-by-season record

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Season Coach Record Conference record Postseason finish
1971–72 Aletha Bond 10–2 –
1972–73 Aletha Bond 14–3 –
1973–74 Susan Nunnelly 13–5 –
1974–75 Susan Nunnelly 13–8 –
1975–76 Susan Nunnelly 19–8 –
1976–77 Jan Pylant 12–8 –
1977–78 Jan Pylant 8–18 –
1978–79 Jan Pylant 9–18 –
1979–80 Joe Ciampi 17–13 –
1980–81 Joe Ciampi 26–7 –
1981–82 Joe Ciampi 24–5 – NCAA Tournament
1982–83 Joe Ciampi 24–8 6–2 (T-2nd) NCAA Tournament
1983–84 Joe Ciampi 19–10 4–4 (6th)
1984–85 Joe Ciampi 25–6 5–3 (3rd) NCAA Tournament
1985–86 Joe Ciampi 24–6 6–3 (T-2nd) NCAA Sweet Sixteen
1986–87 Joe Ciampi 31–2 8–1 (1st) NCAA Elite Eight
1987–88 Joe Ciampi 32–3 9–0 (1st) NCAA Runner-Up
1988–89 Joe Ciampi 32–2 9–0 (1st) NCAA Runner-Up
1989–90 Joe Ciampi 28–7 7–2 (2nd) NCAA Runner-Up
1990–91 Joe Ciampi 26–6 7–2 (2nd) NCAA Elite Eight
1991–92 Joe Ciampi 17–12 4–7 (T-7th)
1992–93 Joe Ciampi 25–4 9–2 (T-2nd) NCAA Sweet Sixteen
1993–94 Joe Ciampi 20–10 6–5 (6th) NCAA Second Round
1994–95 Joe Ciampi 17–10 5–6 (8th)
1995–96 Joe Ciampi 23–9 6–5 (T-5th) NCAA Elite Eight
1996–97 Joe Ciampi 22–10 5–7 (T-8th) NCAA second round
1997–98 Joe Ciampi 16–11 4–10 (T-9th)
1998–99 Joe Ciampi 20–9 8–6 (4th) NCAA second round
1999-00 Joe Ciampi 22–8 9–5 (4th) NCAA second round
2000–01 Joe Ciampi 17–12 5–9 (T-8th)
2001–02 Joe Ciampi 16–13 3–11 (T-10th)
2002–03 Joe Ciampi 23–11 5–9 (8th) WNIT Champions
2003–04 Joe Ciampi 22–9 9–5 (3rd) NCAA second round
2004–05 Nell Fortner 16–13 6–8 (T-6th)
2005–06 Nell Fortner 14–15 4–10 (10th)
2006–07 Nell Fortner 21–13 6–8 (9th) WNIT Semifinals
2007–08 Nell Fortner 20–12 7–7 (6th) NCAA first round
2008–09 Nell Fortner 30–4 12–2 (1st) NCAA second round
2009–10 Nell Fortner 15–16 5–11 (10th)
2010–11 Nell Fortner 16–16 8–8 (T-5th) WNIT Second Round
2011–12 Nell Fortner 13–17 5–11 (9th)
2012–13 Terri Williams-Flournoy 19–15 5–11 (10th) WNIT Quarterfinals
2013–14 Terri Williams-Flournoy 19–15 7–9 (T-6th) WNIT Third Round
2014–15 Terri Williams-Flournoy 13–18 3–13 (13th)
2015–16 Terri Williams-Flournoy 20–13 8–8 (T-7th) NCAA Second Round
2016–17 Terri Williams-Flournoy 17–15 7–9 (T-8th) NCAA First Round
2017–18 Terri Williams-Flournoy 14–15 5–11 (10th)
2018–19 Terri Williams-Flournoy 22–10 9–7 (T-6th) NCAA First Round
2019–20 Terri Williams-Flournoy 11–18 4–12 (T-12th)
2020–21 Terri Williams-Flournoy 5–19 0–15 (13th)
2021–22 Johnnie Harris 10–18 2–14 (14th)
2022–23 Johnnie Harris 16–15 5–11 (T-10th) WNIT Second Round
2023–24 Johnnie Harris 22–12 8–8 (T-7th) NCAA First Four

[13] [14]

NCAA tournament results

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Year Seed Round Opponent Result
1982 #2 First Round #7 Cheyney L 64–75
1983 #5 First Round
Sweet Sixteen		 #4 Missouri
#1 Louisiana Tech		 W 94–76
L 54–81
1985 #3 First Round
Sweet Sixteen		 #6 Memphis State
#2 NE Louisiana		 W 82–64
L 71–76
1986 #3 Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		 #6 Southern Illinois
#2 Ole Miss		 W 61–39
L 55–56
1987 #1 Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		 #8 Illinois
#5 Old Dominion
#2 Tennessee		 W 92–58
W 77–61
L 61–77
1988 #1 Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
Title Game		 #8 Temple
#4 Clemson
#3 Ole Miss
#2 Long Beach State
#2 Louisiana Tech		 W 94–66
W 68–65
W 103–74
W 68–55
L 54–56
1989 #1 Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
Title Game		 #9 Penn State
#4 Georgia
#2 Maryland
#1 Louisiana Tech
#1 Tennessee		 W 88–54
W 71–60
W 77–51
W 76–71
L 60–76
1990 #2 Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
Title Game		 #7 Tennessee Tech
#6 Vanderbilt
#1 Washington
#1 Louisiana Tech
#1 Stanford		 W 73–54
W 89–67
W 76–50
W 81–69
L 81–88
1991 #3 Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		 #11 Holy Cross
#10 Vanderbilt
#1 Tennessee		 W 84–58
W 58–45
L 65–69
1993 #3 Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		 #11 Louisville
#2 Iowa		 W 66–61
L 50–63
1994 #9 First Round
Second Round		 #8 Virginia Tech
#1 Connecticut		 W 60–51
L 59–81
1996 #6 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		 #11 Hawaii
#3 Colorado
#2 Penn State
#1 Stanford		 W 73–53
W 68–61
W 75–69
L 57–71
1997 #7 First Round
Second Round		 #10 Louisville
#2 Louisiana Tech		 W 68–65
L 48–74
1999 #5 First Round
Second Round		 #12 Texas
#4 Virginia Tech		 W 69–61
L 61–76
2000 #7 First Round
Second Round		 #10 SW Missouri State
#2 Penn State		 W 78–74
L 69–75
2004 #7 First Round
Second Round		 #10 NC State
#2 Connecticut		 W 79–59
L 53–79
2008 #11 First Round #6 George Washington L 56–66
2009 #2 First Round
Second Round		 #15 Lehigh
#7 Rutgers		 W 85–49
L 52–80
2016 #9 First Round
Second Round		 #8 St. John's
#1 Baylor		 W 68–57
L 52–84
2017 #11 First Round #6 NC State L 48–62
2019 #10 First Round #7 BYU L 64–73
2024 #11 First Four #11 Arizona L 59–69

WNIT

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Source[15]

The Tigers have participated in six WNIT tournaments, with an overall record of 13 – 5, including the 2003 WNIT championship.[16]

Year Round Opponent Result
2003 First S. Alabama W 77–53
Second Florida State W 68–57
Quarterfinals Richmond W 59–53
Semifinals Creighton W 73–62
Championship Baylor W 64–63
2007 Round 2 UAB W 74–60
Round 3 Virginia Tech W 81–73
Quarterfinals Kansas State L 67–54
2011 First Tennessee Tech W 68–54
Second Toledo L 67–52
2013 First UAB W 80–57
Second WKU W 84–66
Third Tulane W 72–52
Fourth Drexel L 56–43
2014 Round 1 Furman W 78–64
Round 2 Old Dominion W 82–59
Round 3 Mississippi State L 59–54
2023 Round 1 Tulane W 73–58
Round 2 Clemson L 56–55

References

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  1. ^ "About Auburn". March 28, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  2. ^ "2023-24 Auburn WBB Quick Facts (PDF)" (PDF). Auburn University Athletics. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  3. ^ "Legendary Women's Basketball coach, Joe Ciampi, to be honored with banner". Legendary Women's Basketball coach, Joe Ciampi, to be honored with banner - Eagle Eye TV. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  4. ^ "Women's Basketball Record Book SEC 2024" (PDF). a.espncdn.com. p. 77. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  5. ^ "Women's Basketball Record Book SEC 2024" (PDF). a.espncdn.com. p. 75. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  6. ^ "Women's Basketball Record Book SEC 2024" (PDF). a.espncdn.com. p. 76. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  7. ^ "Auburn selected to NCAA Tournament as No. 9 seed - Alabama News". 14 March 2016.
  8. ^ "Fortner Hired To Replace Ciampi As AU Coach". 247Sports. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  9. ^ Woodbery, Evan (April 3, 2012). "New Auburn coach Terri Williams-Flournoy says wins will bring fans to new arena". AL.com. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  10. ^ "2015-16 Auburn Women's Basketball omen's Basketball Record Book" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 March 2017.
  11. ^ "Auburn announces women's basketball coaching change". Auburn University Athletics. 4 March 2021. Retrieved 2021-06-09.
  12. ^ "Johnnie Harris named Auburn Women's Basketball Head Coach". Auburn University Athletics. 3 April 2021. Retrieved 2021-06-09.
  13. ^ "Auburn Tigers Women's Basketball2019-20 Media Guide" (PDF). Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  14. ^ "SEC Women's Basketball Standings - 2019-20". ESPN. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  15. ^ "Archived Fields (PDF) - WNIT Pre and Post Tournament" (PDF). womensnit.com. Retrieved 2023-04-18.
  16. ^ "Auburn stuns Baylor with last-second shot to capture title of 2003 Postseason WNIT". womensnit.com. Retrieved 2023-04-18.
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