1985 – 86 Auburn Tigers men 's basketball team represented Auburn University in the 1985 – 86 college basketball season . The team 's head coach was Sonny Smith , who was in his eighth season at Auburn . The team played their home games at Memorial Coliseum in Auburn , Alabama . They finished the season 22 – 11 , 13 – 5 in SEC play . They lost to Mississippi State in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament . They received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament where they defeated Arizona , St. John 's , and UNLV to advance to the Elite Eight where they lost to Louisville
SEC Tournament
1986 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament
1985–86 Auburn Tigers men's basketball team