Auburn secured a spot in the Elite Eight after an impressive victory over No. 5 Michigan in the Sweet 16, winning 78-65. This win propels the Tigers into a matchup against No. 2 Michigan State on Sunday.
Auburn entered the tournament as a No. 1 seed following a dominant regular season, finishing with a 30-5 record and a 15-3 mark in conference play. Despite falling to Tennessee in the SEC Tournament, their overall performance ensured they retained their top-seed status. Auburn began its NCAA Tournament campaign with a commanding 20-point victory over Alabama State in the first round, followed by a 12-point win over Creighton in the second round. Although they had a slow start against Michigan, they ultimately pulled away for a comfortable 13-point win.
One of Auburn’s strengths in the tournament has been its deep and talented roster, which played a crucial role in the Sweet 16 victory. The Tigers returned several key players from last season, including Johni Broome, a Player of the Year candidate. While they lost Tre Donaldson to Michigan, they proved their depth and ability to win without him. Auburn relied on a short bench, using only three substitutes against Michigan, but one of them—Tahaad Pettiford—made a significant impact.
Pettiford delivered a standout performance, scoring 20 points and tying for the second-most points on the team. Broome led the team with 22 points, while Denver Jones completed Auburn’s trio of top scorers with 20 points of his own. Auburn struggled early, leading by just one point at halftime. However, adjustments at the break allowed Broome, Pettiford, and Jones to step up and secure the victory.
Johni Broome has been Auburn’s statistical leader in numerous categories this season. He averaged 18.4 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.2 blocks per game during the regular season. Although his shooting percentage dipped from 50.9% in the regular season to 43% in the Sweet 16, he still made a significant impact, shooting 9-for-21 from the field and 1-for-3 from three-point range. Where he lacked in shooting efficiency, he made up for it in rebounding, grabbing 16 boards to complete a double-double. He also contributed an assist and two steals.
Tahaad Pettiford, a talented freshman guard, has played in 35 games this season but started only once. Despite coming off the bench, he has averaged 11.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. Against Michigan, he remained a key contributor, scoring 20 points on 7-for-14 shooting. Though he attempted seven three-pointers and made only two, he still made a substantial impact, adding three assists, a steal, and a block. His ability to contribute as a bench player underscores Auburn’s depth.
Denver Jones, another key guard, has been instrumental in Auburn’s backcourt. The senior began his collegiate career at Florida International before transferring to Auburn for the 2023-24 season. He played in 34 regular-season games, starting in all of them. Jones has progressively improved throughout the NCAA Tournament, scoring eight points against Alabama State in the first round, 15 against Creighton in the second round, and a crucial 20-point performance against Michigan. He also contributed four rebounds and two assists in the Sweet 16 victory.
With a talented roster and a strong team dynamic, Auburn has demonstrated its ability to compete at the highest level. As they prepare to face Michigan State in the Elite Eight, the Tigers will look to continue their impressive run and push for a Final Four appearance.
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