Michigan guard Tre Donaldson entered Friday’s NCAA tournament matchup against Auburn determined to make an impact against his former team. From the start, he played with intensity, sinking his first three-pointer and glaring at Auburn’s head coach, Bruce Pearl. As the first half progressed, Donaldson celebrated another highlight—a successful layup—by exchanging words with Auburn’s backcourt, signaling his confidence and competitive spirit.
However, that layup would be Donaldson’s final points of the night. His shooting struggles persisted, as he finished with a disappointing 2-for-9 performance from the field. He also failed to record an assist and committed four turnovers, which significantly hindered Michigan’s offensive flow.
Reflecting on his team’s defensive performance, Pearl highlighted their ability to neutralize Donaldson and capitalize on offensive momentum. “We obviously locked in defensively,” Pearl remarked on Saturday. “We like to feed the hot hand. When Denver [Jones] made a shot, he got the next two. When Tahaad [Pettiford] made one, he got the next couple. Johni [Broome] had a strong stretch as well. That’s why we won the game.”
Auburn’s backcourt duo of Jones and Pettiford played a crucial role in the victory, combining for an impressive 40 points. Their ability to hit timely shots, including six successful three-pointers, kept Auburn’s offense rolling.
Jones, who was instrumental in the second half, discussed his performance postgame. “Honestly, once I saw one shot fall, I felt like the basket just got bigger,” Jones said. “I wanted to stay aggressive. Coach made sure I was more involved in the plays, and I took advantage of the opportunities.”
In the final eight minutes of the game, Jones took over offensively, sparking an 8-0 personal run. He drained consecutive three-pointers, pushing Auburn’s lead and securing their momentum. Jones tallied 13 points in the second half, while Pettiford added 15 overall, ensuring Auburn’s victory.
Pettiford emphasized the importance of late-game shooting and how the team overcame early struggles. “The three-ball wasn’t really falling for us early on, but we knew we’d need to knock down some key shots in the final stretch,” Pettiford said Saturday. “Denver got us going by making a couple in a row, and the energy shifted from there. I felt that moment, and it carried us forward.”
Auburn forward Chaney Johnson reflected on his teammates’ second-half takeover, acknowledging their hard work and impact. “Denver is such a dedicated worker. Seeing him go crazy like that, just completely take over, it was something special,” Johnson said. “Then you add Tahaad into the mix—he was on a run of his own. It was an electric moment for our team because without them, we don’t win that game.”
Looking ahead, Auburn now faces a formidable challenge against Michigan State, a team known for its talented and athletic guards. The Tigers will have to contend with Michigan State’s backcourt trio of Jeremy Fears Jr., Jaden Akins, and Jase Richardson, all of whom bring a dynamic skill set to the court.
Jones acknowledged the upcoming test but expressed confidence in Auburn’s ability to rise to the occasion. “They’ve got some talented guards—really athletic guys who like to attack and initiate contact,” Jones said Saturday. “I have no doubt our coaches will come up with a great game plan to prepare us.”
Jones also emphasized Auburn’s depth as a key advantage heading into the matchup. “I feel like our guards always step up to the challenge, regardless of how we’re feeling,” he continued. “The beauty of our team is the depth we have. We count on each other, we’ve got each other’s backs, and that’s what makes us strong.”
Auburn and Michigan State will face off at 4:05 p.m. on Sunday, with the game set to be broadcast nationally on CBS. This highly anticipated showdown will determine which team advances further in the NCAA tournament, as both squads look to showcase their strengths on college basketball’s biggest stage.
