Auburn Tigers vs Michigan Wolverines – NCAA Tournament Preview – March 28, 2025
Auburn takes on Michigan in the Sweet 16 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:39 PM ET on Friday, March 28. Auburn enters as the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament with a 30-5 record, while Michigan comes in as the No. 5 seed at 27-9.
This is a battle between two strong frontcourts. Auburn is led by Johni Broome, while Michigan counters with Vladislav Goldin and Danny Wolf. The winner will advance to the Elite Eight and get one step closer to the Final Four.
Auburn Preview – Big Bodies and Big Goals
Auburn is led by All-American Johni Broome, who averages 18.4 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. The Tigers also get strong production from Tahaad Pettiford, who is averaging 19.5 points in the tournament. Auburn’s defense holds opponents to just 41% shooting and 29.6% from deep.
Bruce Pearl’s team has already beaten nine other teams still alive in the tournament. The Tigers rank top 10 in blocks and top 20 in three-point defense. Their offense is deep, with Chad Baker-Mazara and Miles Kelly both averaging double figures this year.
Auburn is 13-2 at home and 8-2 on the road this season. The Tigers average 78.3 points per game and shoot 47.1% from the floor. They are also among the best passing teams in the country, ranking fourth in assists per game at 16.1.
Auburn has also been sharp early in games, scoring 38.5 points per first half. Their defense is allowing only 31.9 points in the first half, which helps them build leads. Pettiford’s scoring punch off the bench gives them flexibility when starters rest or get into foul trouble.
Michigan Preview – Transfer Power Lifting Wolverines
Michigan has rebuilt its program quickly under first-year coach Dusty May. Transfers Vladislav Goldin (FAU), Danny Wolf (Yale), and Roddy Gayle (Ohio State) have made a big impact. Goldin leads the team in scoring at 16.8 points per game and has posted 37 points and 20 rebounds across the first two tournament games.
Wolf adds 13 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. He had 13 points and 5 boards in last year’s NCAA Tournament win over Auburn while playing for Yale. Tre Donaldson, another transfer from Auburn, scored 8 points with 4 assists and 6 rebounds in the last game against Texas A&M.
Michigan has gone 7-3 in road games and 13-3 at home this season. The Wolverines average 78.3 points per game and shoot 47.1% from the field. They rank top 25 nationally in rebounding and assist totals, and they’ve covered the first-half spread in 18 of their last 27 games.
Michigan holds a slight edge in rebounding at 35.2 per game and has held its last two opponents under 70 points. They’ve hit the over in 19 of 36 games but have been trending under lately. If Goldin and Wolf can control the paint, Michigan can limit Auburn’s transition chances.
Betting Prediction
Auburn is an 8.5-point favorite with the total set at 153.5. Auburn has been the top seed in the field and has more depth and athleticism. But Michigan’s size in the frontcourt could give the Tigers problems inside, especially with Goldin and Wolf playing well together.
This could be a close game if Michigan can slow down Auburn’s pace. The Wolverines are hitting their stride at the right time and have covered in key spots. Final score prediction: Auburn 78, Michigan 72. The Wolverines should keep it close enough to cover.
Pick: Michigan +8.5
