Auburn Advances to Elite Eight After Dominant Second-Half Comeback
The top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament is moving on to the Elite Eight.
Auburn delivered a stunning second-half performance to erase a nine-point deficit and defeat Michigan 78-65 in the Sweet 16 on Friday night. Led by Tahad Pettiford and Denver Jones, who each scored 20 points, the Tigers (31-5) outscored the Wolverines 39-17 over the final 12 and a half minutes to secure their spot in the regional final. This marks only the third time in program history that Auburn has reached the Elite Eight. Auburn Advances to Elite Eight After Dominant Second-Half Comeback
Additionally, the Tigers’ victory solidified the Southeastern Conference’s presence in the tournament, as they became the fourth SEC team to advance to a regional final. The SEC now joins the Atlantic Coast Conference (2016) and the Big East (2009) as the only conferences to achieve this feat.
The Turning Point
Auburn coach Bruce Pearl praised his team’s resilience, emphasizing their determination to win. “Just the kids’ will to win,” Pearl said. “Denver got heated up. Tahaad got heated up. We went to them, and they delivered.”
Auburn will now face Michigan State in the South Region final on Sunday, with a trip to the Final Four on the line. The Spartans narrowly edged Mississippi 73-70 in the earlier matchup in Atlanta.
Johni Broome was instrumental in Auburn’s victory, tallying 22 points and 16 rebounds. However, it was the dynamic duo of Pettiford, a freshman, and Jones, a senior, that led the charge when the Tigers needed it most.
The Wolverines (27-10) appeared to be in control when they built a 49-38 lead, positioning themselves for a remarkable finish to their comeback season under first-year head coach Dusty May. However, Pettiford ignited Auburn’s rally with a step-back three-pointer. Jones followed with back-to-back deep shots and a drive to the rim. Pettiford then sealed the win with two breathtaking plays—first, a three-pointer after briefly losing the ball and regaining possession, followed by a three-point play where he sank a tough shot before hitting the floor after drawing a foul.
“I saw one go in, and I just saw the basket get bigger and bigger,” Jones said. “So I just kept shooting.”
Michigan’s Effort Falls Short
Danny Wolf led Michigan with 20 points, but no other Wolverine managed more than 10. Despite the loss, the Wolverines had much to be proud of. Just a year ago, they endured an 8-24 season—the worst in school history—which led to the firing of former coach Juwan Howard. This year, they bounced back to become a formidable force under May.
“They left a legacy,” May said. “They established an identity. They should be very, very proud of their body of work.”
A Sloppy Start, A Strong Finish
The first half was defined by frantic but sloppy play, with both teams struggling to find their rhythm. Turnovers plagued both squads, and shooting efficiency was dismal.
One particularly chaotic sequence encapsulated the first 20 minutes. Auburn’s Tre Donaldson threw an errant pass that led to a turnover, only for Chad Baker-Mazara to give it right back to Michigan with an ill-advised behind-the-back pass. The Wolverines then had a chance to capitalize but lost the ball again when Roddy Gayle Jr.’s lob sailed out of bounds. In just nine seconds, the two teams combined for three turnovers.
Despite these struggles, Auburn led 30-29 at halftime, despite shooting just 32.4% from the field (12-of-37) and going a dismal 3-for-16 from beyond the arc. Turnovers (10 in the first half) remained an issue, but the Tigers compensated with dominance on the boards, securing a 48-33 rebounding advantage, including 19 offensive rebounds.
Winning the Battle Inside
Broome and Auburn’s frontcourt took on Michigan’s twin seven-footers, Nimari Burnett, and held their own. Broome, in particular, imposed his will in the paint, ensuring Auburn had second-chance opportunities.
“We took the game personally,” Broome said. “That’s a great front line, but we wanted to challenge ourselves to make it tough on them.”
A Home-Court Feel
Though the game was played at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, the environment felt like an Auburn home game. Just 110 miles from their campus, the Tigers enjoyed overwhelming fan support, with the crowd clad in orange and blue. Chants of “Let’s go Auburn!” echoed through the arena, growing louder as the Tigers took control in the second half.
“It obviously helped to elevate their play,” Pearl said. “If you’re the overall No. 1 seed, you should be able to play close enough to home so the fans can see it.”
Conversely, Michigan’s smaller fan presence made the setting feel even more like a road game for the Wolverines.
“Obviously, in the second half, they hit a few shots and the crowd erupted,” Wolf said. “That was a huge momentum swing.”
Key Takeaways
Auburn: The Tigers’ trip to the Elite Eight is their first since 2019, when they made it to the Final Four before falling to eventual champion Virginia. Pearl, however, remains concerned about Auburn’s ball security, citing the team’s 15 turnovers. “If Michigan can turn us over 15 times, Michigan State could turn us over 25 times,” Pearl said. “That’s a concern.”
Michigan: Goldin finished with 10 points on 2-of-9 shooting while leading the team with nine rebounds. Nimari Burnett also contributed 10 points. However, Michigan’s offensive struggles were glaring, shooting just 35.6% from the field (21-of-59) and 5-of-17 from three-point range. Their lack of ball movement was another issue, as they tallied only six assists compared to Auburn’s 15.
Looking Ahead
With their Sweet 16 victory in the books, Auburn is one step closer to their ultimate goal. They’ll face Michigan State in the South Region final with a Final Four berth at stake. Given their dominant finish against Michigan, the Tigers will look to carry that momentum into their next matchup.
For Michigan, the season ends with disappointment, but their turnaround from last year’s struggles offers a promising foundation for the future under Dusty May.
As March Madness rolls on, Auburn has shown they are not just the tournament’s top overall seed—they are a team determined to prove why they deserve that title.