Jay Jacobs expects ‘significant improvement’ after ‘disappointing’ hoops season

NASHVILLE — Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs issued a statement regarding the men’s basketball program and Tony Barbee Friday afternoon.

“This was obviously a disappointing season for our men’s basketball program, but I want to commend our players and especially our seniors for playing hard all year,” Jacobs said in a statement. “My expectation is for our program to show significant improvement under coach Barbee’s leadership. Coach Barbee and I will continue to work together to support our basketball program at the highest level so we can give our fans the kind of program they expect and deserve.”

Auburn (9-23) lost to Texas A&M in the opening round of the SEC Tournament, capping a stretch of 10 defeats in a row and 16 of 17 in the worst single-season stretch in program history. Barbee, who makes $1.5 million annually, is under contract through 2017 with a buyout of $750,000 per year, or more than $3 million as of today.

Following Wednesday’s loss, Barbee said the dreadful 2013 season “all falls on me.”