Auburn's Dylan Cardwell reflects on five-year career following the Final Four
While a lot of the conversation after Auburn's 79-73 loss to Florida in the Final Four will be about the legacy of Johni Broome, there was another Tiger who played his last game on Saturday night. Center Dylan Cardwell closed his five-year Auburn career with the loss to the Gators. Cardwell has seen more wins than any other Auburn basketball player has in the history of the program. The statistics aren't historic, but the impact he had on this team was.
Cardwell had a solid game in his final game for Auburn on Saturday. He scored nine points and pulled eight rebounds in the game. His defensive ability has been at his best in the NCAA Tournament.
'It's bittersweet to end it this way knowing we left the national championship on the table,' Cardwell said after the game.'
The Tigers held a 46-38 lead at halftime versus the Gators and had their way inside. Auburn struggled offensively in the second half, scoring 27 points and committing 12 turnovers.
Cardwell continued, 'But being at Auburn has been the best five years of my life. I couldn't have chosen a greater university to have loved me back, just watch me grow from 18 to 23. I am the man I am because God let me come to Auburn.'
During his five years at Auburn, the Tigers won 72% of their games, with a record of 121-46. Auburn won two SEC Regular-Season Championships (2022 and 2025) and the SEC Tournament Championship (2024) and reached the Final Four this season. His statistics can be replaced and replicated, but the leadership he brought to the Tigers will be much harder to replace.
'Man, the thing I'll take away most, just being an Auburn man, but just being a teammate, being a player for Bruce Pearl, but also being in the locker room with the best locker room in the country,' said Cardwell.
He fits the definition of an Auburn man.
Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Phillip on Twitter @PJordanSEC
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