The Auburn basketball team survived and advanced in the Sweet Sixteen on Friday night. The Tigers defeated Michigan 78-65 in State Farm in Atlanta to advance to the Elite Eight. Though they trailed multiple times in the game, the Tigers showed their will to win and battled back to pull off the win.
Johni Broome, a National Player of the Year candidate, led the Tigers in scoring with 22 points, but both Denver Jones and Tahaad Pettiford contributed 20 points each, the true freshman stepping up in a big way once again.
Auburn basketball will now advance to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2019. Here's what the team had to say following their big win.
Denver Jones on his big game, per ESPN:
“I saw one go in, and I just saw the basket get bigger and bigger. So I just kept shooting.”
Bruce Pearl on the impact of the Auburn fans, per Auburn Undercover:
"I would say that our guys really appreciated the fans. Obviously it helped elevate their play. But it all stems back to the grind in the sense that this team, to this point, has only lost one game at Texas A&M to a team that wasn't in the Sweet 16. That means they respected their opponents. They didn't fear any of them, and they got ready to play every single night. We just really didn't get upset very often. Giving us the No. 1 overall, which then put us in Atlanta -- the overall No. 1 seed should be able to play close enough to home for your fans to see it. So they got rewarded."
Johni Broome on his teammates stepping up, per Auburn Rivals:
"My guys, they had my back these last two games. I just basically told them I’m giving it my all, I’m bringing it. All I ask for y’all to do is just bring it with me. I’m gonna lead by example and just keep winning."
The Tigers return to action this weekend in the Elite Eight and will play Michigan State.