ATLANTA — Auburn’s journey to the Elite Eight was sparked by a remarkable second-half comeback led by Tahaad Pettiford and Denver Jones. Facing potential elimination, the Auburn Tigers turned a nine-point deficit into a commanding 78-65 victory over Michigan in the Sweet 16 on Friday night.
Pettiford and Jones each contributed 20 points, igniting a 39-17 run in the final 12 and a half minutes of the game, allowing Auburn (31-5) to claim a spot in the regional final for the third time in the school’s history. They joined the Southeastern Conference’s advancement to the Elite Eight, equaling past achievements by the Atlantic Coast Conference and Big East.
Auburn’s success can be attributed to the determination shown by the players. Head coach Bruce Pearl praised Pettiford, a freshman, and Jones, a senior, for their outstanding performances during a crucial stretch of the game. “Just the kids’ will to win,” Pearl noted. “Denver got heated up. Tahaad got heated up. We went to them, and they delivered.”
The Tigers are now set to compete against Michigan State in the South Region final on Sunday. The winner will secure a place in the prestigious Final Four. Earlier, Michigan State managed to narrowly defeat Mississippi with a score of 73-70 in a closely contested match.
Johni Broome significantly contributed to Auburn’s victory with 22 points and 16 rebounds. However, it was Pettiford and Jones who took control during the pivotal moments, guiding their team to success. Michigan’s effort to extend their unexpected comeback season under first-year coach Dusty May fell short despite holding a significant 49-38 lead at one point.
Pettiford initiated Auburn’s resurgence by sinking a crucial three-pointer. Soon after, Jones added to the momentum with consecutive long-range shots and a drive to the basket. Pettiford capped off their incredible run with two memorable buckets: an improbable trey after losing control of the ball, followed by a three-point play that left him flat on his back after drawing a foul.
Despite a valiant effort, the Wolverines, led by Danny Wolf with 20 points, could not muster enough support, with no other player scoring more than ten. Coach Dusty May commended his team’s resilience and urged them to take pride in reshaping their identity after a challenging previous season.
The game’s first half was marred by turnovers and missed opportunities as both teams struggled to establish their rhythm. The chaotic nature of the half was highlighted by a rapid succession of turnovers within a mere nine seconds.
Auburn led by a narrow 30-29 margin at halftime despite shooting just 32.4% from the field. They redeemed themselves with aggressive rebounding, ending with a significant 48-33 advantage on the boards, including 19 offensive rebounds. Broome and Auburn’s frontcourt managed to hold their own against Michigan’s imposing 7-footers, Wolf and Vladislav Goldin.
Broome remarked on the physical challenge, emphasizing, “We took the game personal. That’s a great front line, but we wanted to challenge ourselves to make it tough on them.”
Playing close to home provided Auburn an additional boost, as the crowd, predominantly dressed in orange and blue, cheered tirelessly from the start. A rousing “Let’s go Auburn!” chant surged through the arena, particularly igniting the Tigers during their second-half rally.
From the Tigers’ perspective, the near-home advantage was significant, as Pearl explained, “It obviously helped to elevate their play. 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, Michigan felt like the away team, overwhelmed by the opposing crowd. Wolf acknowledged, “Obviously in the second half, they hit a few shots, and the crowd erupted. That was a huge momentum swing.”
For Auburn, progressing to the Elite Eight marks a significant achievement, though the team remains cautious about turnovers—a concern voiced by Pearl as they prepare for Michigan State.
Meanwhile, Michigan reflected on their commendable journey and unexpected season turnaround, finding pride in setting a new foundation under May’s leadership. Despite the loss, the Wolverines displayed resilience and ability, with encouraging prospects for the future.