No buzzer beaters. No last-second comeback. Just a cold ending.
Auburn’s Final Four run has come to an end once again. But the Tigers didn’t go down without a fight. Auburn led 46-38 at halftime and battled throughout, but ultimately couldn’t withstand the second-half storm brought on by Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr.
The game ended in a 79-73 loss for Auburn. Florida, meanwhile, advances to its first national championship appearance since the program’s back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007. For Auburn, this one stings. The season closes with 32 wins—and tears. And no one wore the heartbreak more visibly than Chad Baker-Mazara.
Chad Baker-Mazara Gets Emotional After Final Four Loss
As the final buzzer sounded, Baker-Mazara couldn’t walk off the court like it was just another game. The senior, who led Auburn with 18 points—including four three-pointers—was overwhelmed with emotion. For him, the moment wasn’t just about basketball; it was about brotherhood.
“This is a forever thing…
At the end of the day, we’re all one phone call away.” Chad Baker-Mazara after a heartbreaking loss to Florida in the Final Four pic.twitter.com/AyALGoLJr9
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) April 6, 2025
“This is a forever thing,” Baker-Mazara said in the postgame interview. “Like, there’s not many guys that are going to graduate, but every season you play, some guys might go to the league. You know, at the end of the day, we’re all one phone call away—and that’s what makes it very special about this team.”
Baker-Mazara’s emotion came not only from a close loss but also from reflection on his journey. After stops at Duquesne, San Diego State, junior college, and finally Auburn, the Final Four marked what may be the final chapter in his college career. He does have one year of eligibility remaining, thanks to a recent ruling for JUCO transfers—but whether he returns remains uncertain.
If Saturday night was his last college game, he went out swinging. He was Auburn’s most consistent shooter, keeping the Tigers in the game while the rest of the team struggled from deep. Outside of Baker-Mazara, Auburn shot just 3-for-18 from beyond the arc.
What Comes Next for Auburn
Five of Auburn’s top six scorers this season were transfers, including Baker-Mazara and All-American forward Johni Broome. Head coach Bruce Pearl played the long game with Broome, who arrived from Morehead State and blossomed into one of the nation’s top players.
Others like Miles Kelly (Georgia Tech), Denver Jones (FIU), and Chaney Johnson (Alabama-Huntsville) made their mark on the biggest stage. And while chemistry can’t be built overnight, Pearl clearly assembled a group that found it in time.
Now, Auburn enters an offseason full of decisions. Whether Baker-Mazara returns or not, one thing is clear—this team forged a bond that extends beyond the box score.
MORE: Tahaad Pettiford Gets Emotional After Auburn’s Final Four Exit
As Baker-Mazara put it, “This is a forever thing.” Through transfers, sweat, and trust, the brotherhood they built will always be just a phone call away.
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