The game didn't necessarily live up to the hype, but No. 1 Auburn versus No. 2 Alabama was without a doubt a big matchup over this past weekend. 

Auburn ended up beating Alabama rather handily, 94-85, and at one point, the Tigers had a 14-point lead.

Being that it was somewhat of a blowout, one would think that some casual viewers tuned out once it was clear that Auburn was the far better team. Ultimately, though, ESPN is reporting that the Tigers vs. Crimson Tide was awesome for its ratings.

ESPN announced that the game was the most viewed contest of this college basketball season on the four-letter network. It was also the second-highest-viewed game of the season across all networks.

To put these viewership numbers in perspective, On3 points out that ESPN's previous viewership record came when Clemson beat Duke on Feb. 8, and that game featured the on-air return of legendary broadcaster Dick Vitale after he was off air for nearly two years.

At 23-2, the Bruce Pearl's Tigers are the undisputed best team in college basketball right now, and they're certainly worth tuning in to watch.