Freshman Tahaad Pettiford and senior Denver Jones turned in dazzling performances when it mattered most, rallying top-seeded Auburn to a 78-65 victory over Michigan in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament on Friday night.
The Tigers (31-5) wiped out a nine-point deficit in the second half, outscoring No. 5 seed Michigan 39-17 over the final 12 and a half minutes to advance to the Elite Eight for only the third time in school history. They also became the fourth Southeastern Conference team to reach a regional final, with the SEC joining the Atlantic Coast Conference (2016) and Big East (2009) as the only leagues to do that.
Auburn will face Michigan State in the South Region final on Sunday, with a trip to the Final Four on the line. The Spartans held off Mississippi 73-70 in the first game of the night in Atlanta.
Johni Broome scored 22 points to go along with 16 rebounds, but it was Pettiford and Jones who took control with Auburn’s season on the brink.
The Wolverines (27-10) built their biggest lead, 49-38, and seemed headed for their most improbable performance yet in a remarkable comeback season under first-year coach Dusty MayFreshman guard Tahaad Pettiford and senior forward Denver Jones delivered standout performances in a critical moment, leading the top-seeded Auburn Tigers to a commanding 78-65 victory over the fifth-seeded Michigan Wolverines in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament on Friday night.
Trailing by nine points in the second half, Auburn (31-5) executed a remarkable comeback, outscoring Michigan 39-17 during the final 12 and a half minutes of the game. This win not only advanced the Tigers to the Elite Eight for just the third time in the program’s history, but it also marked a significant milestone for the Southeastern Conference (SEC), as Auburn became the fourth team from the league to reach a regional final. They joined the ranks of other notable conferences, such as the Atlantic Coast Conference (notably achieving this feat in 2016) and the Big East (last accomplished in 2009).
Next up for Auburn is a tough matchup against Michigan State in the South Region final on Sunday, where a coveted berth in the Final Four will be on the line. Michigan State narrowly defeated Mississippi 73-70 in an earlier game, showcasing their resilience and competitiveness.
In the pivotal matchup against Michigan, Johni Broome shone brightly, contributing 22 points and grabbing 16 rebounds. However, it was the dynamic duo of Pettiford and Jones who controlled the floor and ignited the team’s second-half surge when Auburn’s season seemed to hang in the balance. Their determination and skill proved decisive in overcoming Michigan’s offensive momentum.
The Wolverines, concluding their season with a record of 27-10, had established a significant lead, reaching their largest advantage at 49-38. They appeared poised to pull off an upset, indicative of an impressive turnaround season under first-year head coach Dusty May, who managed to inspire a team with a blend of experience and emerging talent.
