There’s no bigger stage than the Sweet 16. As Michigan prepares for its biggest test yet, how can Auburn stop the Wolverines in their tracks?
Sweet 16 Showdown: Auburn vs. Michigan
The Sweet 16 is set, and after hard-fought wins for both teams, No. 1 Auburn and No. 5 Michigan are gearing up for a marquee battle on Friday night. Auburn narrowly escaped No. 9 Creighton in the second round, raising the question—are the Tigers once again at risk of an upset?
For the first time since 1986, Auburn secured back-to-back tournament wins by double digits, following their 82-70 victory over Creighton. Yet, despite their No. 1 overall seed, some are still doubting the Tigers as Michigan prepares for another grueling test.
While both teams have been battle-tested, all eyes remain on the top seed. So, how can Auburn avoid an upset and continue its run to the Elite Eight?
Three Keys to Auburn’s Success
1. Stay Disciplined and Patient on Offense
As the tournament’s No. 1 seed, Auburn is under the most scrutiny. Their SEC Tournament loss to Tennessee exposed weaknesses that needed addressing for a deep postseason run. Auburn’s biggest challenge? Avoiding self-inflicted mistakes. The Tigers have the talent to beat any team but must avoid beating themselves.
On paper, Auburn matches up well with Michigan. Both teams sit near the top of their respective conferences, but Auburn’s depth and experience give them an edge. However, in their last game against Creighton, Auburn had to adapt to a zone-heavy defense led by shot-blocker Ryan Kalkbrenner. Eventually, they found success by attacking the gaps, with Tahaad Pettiford and Chaney Johnson making key plays.
Auburn is a team that thrives on three-point shooting, posting a 55.6% effective field goal percentage and hitting 36.6% from deep. However, their biggest weakness is settling for bad shots and losing patience. If Michigan throws different defensive looks at Auburn, the Tigers must resist rushing their offense.
The key players to watch beyond Pettiford and Chad Baker-Mazara are Denver Jones and Miles Kelly, who both have the potential to catch fire from beyond the arc. Auburn has more offensive weapons than Michigan can handle—so long as they stay disciplined, avoid forced shots, and manage the shot clock wisely.
2. Control the Defensive Glass and Limit Second-Chance Points
While Auburn’s offense gets plenty of attention, its defense is just as vital. In their win over Creighton, the Tigers neutralized one of the best big men in the country and forced the Bluejays into three-point reliance. However, Michigan presents an entirely different challenge with its two seven-footers—Danny Wolf (Yale transfer) and Vladislav Goldin (FAU transfer).
Michigan’s size is a major factor, and they won’t hesitate to play through the post. Auburn must prepare for a physical battle on the boards to prevent second-chance points. If Michigan can exploit mismatches and control the glass, it could put Auburn’s big men—Johni Broome, Drake Cardwell, and Chaney Johnson—in foul trouble.
In Michigan’s last win over Texas A&M, Wolf and Goldin combined for 37 points and 21 rebounds. Auburn cannot allow a repeat performance. The Tigers must dictate the pace, push the tempo, and force Michigan’s bigs into foul trouble by running in transition. If Auburn speeds up the game, Goldin and Wolf could struggle to keep up, potentially leading to defensive lapses.
Bruce Pearl may opt to start in a zone defense, similar to what worked against Creighton, to throw Michigan off balance. If Auburn can win the rebounding battle and force Michigan into a faster pace, they’ll be in a strong position to advance.
3. Disrupt Tre Donaldson and Apply Pressure
One of the most intriguing storylines in this matchup is Tre Donaldson facing his former team. The former Auburn guard has thrived in his first year at Michigan, starting all 36 games and averaging 11.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. He’ll be highly motivated to take down the Tigers, but Auburn has a chance to turn that emotion against him.
Donaldson will be tested against Auburn’s elite backcourt duo of Tahaad Pettiford and Chad Baker-Mazara. While he’s been a standout for Michigan, he lacks the high-pressure experience of his Auburn counterparts. The key for Auburn? Disrupt him early and force him into mistakes.
Bruce Pearl should look to pressure Donaldson right out of the gate, making him uncomfortable and forcing him into difficult decisions. Donaldson will get his points, but Auburn can limit his impact by forcing him into early turnovers and poor shot selection.
It’s worth noting that Donaldson played just 10 games in two years at Auburn before finding his stride at Michigan. Meanwhile, Miles Kelly, Auburn’s newest backcourt addition, has essentially taken his place. Auburn must exploit that matchup and make Donaldson work for everything.
Donaldson will come into this game with plenty of energy, but Auburn has the chance to use that against him. By applying defensive pressure and limiting his playmaking, the Tigers can take control early and keep Michigan from building momentum.
Final Thoughts
Auburn has all the tools to advance, but execution will be key. If they stay patient offensively, control the boards, and neutralize Tre Donaldson, they should find themselves in the Elite Eight. Michigan’s size poses a real threat, but Auburn’s depth, experience, and fast-paced style give them a clear path to victory—so long as they play their game.
Leave a Reply