The air doesn’t get much more rarefied than this. And Bruce Pearl knows it.
The Auburn Tigers, who spent much of the 2024-25 college basketball season as the No. 1 team in the country, are just 40 minutes away from just their second trip to the Final Four. Standing in the Tigers’ way?
A true blue-blood program in the Michigan State Spartans.
“Most of our guys are guys that were mid-major (transfers) or junior college or Division II,” Pearl said Saturday on the eve of the Tigers-Spartans Elite Eight clash. “I’m not going to let Michigan State play the underdog card even though we’re the No. 1 seed and they’re the No. 2 seed. No, they’re Michigan State. They’re Kansas, they’re Duke, they’re North Carolina, and we’re Auburn. We know our place.”
It is certainly arguable that Auburn is the bully in this South Regional final, given that the Tigers are the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament. But Michigan State – a 10-time Final Four participant with national championships earned in 1979 and 2000 – is plenty stacked as well, and on a mission to deliver Hall of Fame coach Tom Izzo more hardware.
So what will it take for the Tigers to get past the Spartans and into the Final Four? Here are 3 keys to an Auburn victory:
1. Go fast… very fast
The more Michigan State is successful in dragging Auburn into a half-court slog, the better chance the Spartans have to knock off the No. 1 overall seed. Because Auburn likes to go fast – much faster than Michigan State.
Tempo should be a huge factor here, as a running Auburn team is perhaps the most dangerous remaining team in the field. Conversely, if the Tigers fall into isolation-heavy sets in the half court like they did for long stretches against Michigan, they can definitely be taken down.
Auburn’s best is plenty good enough to run clean past Michigan State, as the Tigers boast an offense that produces 83.6 points per game. Michigan State plays a more traditional Big Ten style, and only musters 67.1 points per game.
In other words, if this turns into a track meet, Auburn wins in a runaway. The more the Tigers are forced to walk, the better likelihood Michigan State can earn the victory.
2. Negate the Izzo Effect
Tom Izzo has forgotten about more Final Four trips than Auburn can boast, and that kind of experience is invaluable when any little thing can mean a difference between heading back to East Lansing or packing for San Antonio.
The Naismith Hall of Famer has won all 737 of his games at the helm of the Spartans, and it can be argued that the coaching job he has done with this relatively inexperienced team is among his best.
“I’ve been through so many of these, I’ve been the 2-seed got beat by a 15. I’ve been a No. 1 seed that hasn’t gotten out of the first weekend. So I don’t buy any of that stuff,” Izzo said Saturday about being perceived as the favorite Sunday despite going in as a 4.5-point underdog. “But if it makes (Pearl) feel better, I’ll be the favorite. Whatever they want me to be, I’ll be, but the game will be won by the players. Not the bettors, not the media, not even the coaches. The game will be won by the players who play the game.”
While that is true, it is also true that Izzo can – and likely will – squeeze every bit of talent out of his Spartans for 40 minutes against Auburn. Can Pearl say the same for his Tigers?
3. Dance with what brought you
Auburn has gotten to this point behind National Player of the Year candidate Johni Broome – who will be a huge benefit against the outmanned Michigan State frontcourt.
Broome delivers 18.5 points per game along with 10.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists, superstar numbers that also don’t truly reflect the total package that he is for Auburn. Broome has delivered 3 straight double-doubles in this tournament, with his 22 points, 16 rebounds and 2 steals against Michigan marking his 15th double-double of the season.
As Broome goes, Auburn goes. He can easily dominate Michigan State’s big men with his array of skills, and make Atlanta a nightmare for the Spartans.
Auburn Basketball: 3 things the Tigers should worry about against Michigan State Saturday Down South.
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