Charles Barkley showed up on Saturday with a dream. Barkley walked into the Alamodome in San Antonio, hoping to see something that he never got to witness as a player: His team, the Tigers, making it to the National Championship.
Barkley played for Auburn from 1981 to 1984. Despite his unorthodox build, he led the SEC in rebounding every single year. It was during this time that Barkley got his nickname, “Round Mound of Rebound.” Now, years later, he returned not as a player but as a fan. Barkley returned, holding onto hope that Auburn could finish what he started back in ’84.
Instead of a Historic Moment, Charles Barkley Left With Emotional Ups and Downs
What started out as a dream quickly turned into a rollercoaster that ended in disappointment for Charles Barkley. Barkley was part of the CBS studio crew for the Final Four broadcast and was all excited in the first half. During the same time, Auburn led Florida 46-38, and Barkley went so far as to call it the “perfect first half.”
Rollercoaster of emotions for the Chuckster during Auburn-Florida game 💔😭 pic.twitter.com/ilbuj5n1va
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 6, 2025
Although Barkley was not a huge fan of the pace, once the Tigers settled in, he was all for it. But the thing about March Madness is, it’s not for the faint of heart. And certainly a tough one for the emotionally invested, like Charles Barkley.
In the second half, it was no longer Auburn’s game. The Gators were led by Walter Clayton Jr., who came in with 34 points. Florida made a comeback and went on to win 79-73. And just like that, Barkley’s joy turned to disbelief.
On the CBS postgame show, a clip showed him reacting in real-time, cheering, pacing, and head in his hands. It was a full-on emotional rollercoaster, and Barkley was not prepared to have his alma mater lose.
Barkley is, after all, the man who once carried Auburn to its very first NCAA tournament back in ’84, where he put up 23 points on 80% shooting. This, of course, stung. Still, even in heartbreak, Barkley kept it classy.
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“The best team won,” Barkley admitted during the post-game coverage. “Our guys played valiantly… I’m so proud of our team, Coach (Bruce) Pearl, and those kids.” And about Clayton? “Mama, there go that man,” he said, borrowing from Mark Jackson. “He is the real deal.”
Barkley tipped his hat to Florida head coach Todd Golden for lulling Auburn into a slow-paced game. And while Auburn fell short of history, they gave Charles Barkley and the world a game to remember.
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