In a thrilling NCAA Tournament showdown, the Auburn Tigers showcased their resilience as they bounced back from a challenging season to secure a spot in the Elite Eight. With their season hanging in the balance, Tahaad Pettiford and Denver Jones delivered exceptional performances, scoring 20 points each in a second-half offensive explosion that propelled the Tigers to a 78-65 victory over the Michigan Wolverines in the Sweet 16 on Friday night.
The Tigers (31-5) found themselves trailing by nine points at one stage but turned the game around by outscoring the No. 5 seed Wolverines 39-17 in the final 12 and a half minutes. This victory marks only the third time in the school's history that Auburn has advanced to the Elite Eight. Moreover, the Tigers have now joined the ranks of only four Southeastern Conference teams to reach a regional final, alongside teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference (2016) and the Big East (2009).
Auburn's head coach, Bruce Pearl, praised his players, stating, “Just the kids’ will to win. Denver got heated up. Tahaad got heated up. We went to them, and they delivered.” The Tigers will face a tough opponent in the Michigan State Spartans for the South Region final on Sunday, with a coveted spot in the Final Four at stake.
In the earlier game of the night, Michigan State narrowly defeated Mississippi 73-70, setting the stage for Auburn’s matchup. While Johni Broome contributed significantly with 22 points and 16 rebounds, it was the dynamic duo of Pettiford and Jones who stepped up when the Tigers needed them the most. Despite Michigan building a commanding lead of 49-38, Pettiford ignited a comeback with a critical step-back three-pointer. Jones followed suit with two consecutive long-range shots, and Pettiford sealed the deal with a stunning three-point play after being fouled.
“I saw one go in, and I just saw the basket get bigger and bigger,” Jones remarked, highlighting the confidence that surged through the team.
Leading the Wolverines (27-10) was Danny Wolf, who scored 20 points, but the team struggled to find consistent scoring beyond him, as no other player managed to exceed 10 points. Despite the loss, Michigan can take pride in their remarkable turnaround season under first-year coach Dusty May, who took over after a disappointing 8-24 record the previous year.
“They left a legacy,” May said of the previous players. “They established an identity. They should be very, very proud of their body of work.”
The first half of the game was characterized by a frantic yet sloppy pace, with both teams committing numerous turnovers and struggling to find their shooting rhythm. Auburn led 30-29 at halftime despite hitting only 12 of 37 shots (32.4%) from the field, which included a dismal 3-of-16 from three-point range. However, the Tigers capitalized on their opportunities, dominating the boards with a 48-33 advantage, including 19 offensive rebounds.
Broome and Auburn's frontcourt effectively matched up against Michigan's formidable two 7-footers, Wolf and Vladislav Goldin. Broome expressed the team’s determination, stating, “We took the game personal. That’s a great front line, but we wanted to challenge ourselves to make it tough on them.”
Playing just 110 miles from their campus across the state line in eastern Alabama felt like a home game for the Tigers. The crowd, predominantly dressed in orange and blue, erupted in support during crucial moments, especially as Auburn rallied in the second half. Pearl noted, “If you're the overall No. 1 seed, you should be able to play close enough to home so the fans can see it.”
In contrast, the Wolverines faced a challenging environment, as their smaller fan base struggled to match the energy of Auburn's supporters. Wolf acknowledged the impact, stating, “Obviously in the second half, they hit a few shots and the crowd erupted. That was a huge momentum swing.”
For Auburn, this victory is a significant step forward as they aim for their second Final Four appearance since 2019. However, coach Pearl expressed concern over the team’s 15 turnovers, stating, “If Michigan can turn us over 15 times, Michigan State could turn us over 25 times. That’s a concern.”
On the Michigan side, Goldin managed only 10 points on 2-of-9 shooting while leading the team with nine rebounds. The Wolverines struggled offensively, shooting just 35.6% from the field and only six assists compared to Auburn’s 15. Despite the loss, the foundation laid this season gives Michigan hope for future success.
