ATLANTA — The top-seeded Tigers are set to take on the No. 5 seed Michigan Wolverines inside of State Farm Arena with a spot to the coveted Elite Eight on the line. Prior to shootaround and practice on the floor in Georgia’s state capital, Auburn players previewed the Sweet 16 matchup with the media inside the locker room.
Below are quotes of note from eight different Tigers just over 24 hours from tipoff in Atlanta.
C Johni Broome:
On Dusty May recruiting him to FAU:
“Yeah, he did recruit me pretty hard. Somebody committed -- I was going to come on a visit, but somebody committed the weekend before, so nothing ever happened after that. Yeah, they was recruiting me pretty hard, though.”
On facing Michigan’s double-big lineup:
“We’re just gonna play our game. We’re gonna do what we do every game. You know, we’ll lock in on defense.”
PG Denver Jones:
Thoughts on Michigan:
“They're a very good team. They're shooting it well. They've got very good big men down low. Danny Wolf is basically a big guard. Vlad Goldin is really good down there in the post, offensively and defensively. But I feel like we're gonna be good, though.”
On playing former teammate Tre Donaldson:
“I mean, obviously, there's going to be more of a sense of urgency, because he used to play here. He's a brother. We're trying to come out on top. I feel like it's gonna be a different level of locking in, and we're gonna be the more excited team to play.”
PG Tahaad Pettiford:
On the late start to the game:
“Definitely going to get my nap in. Tomorrow might be longer than usual with a late game. I’ll try to get in the gym and watch some film, get some food and rest.”
Thoughts on Michigan’s backcourt:
“Really good backcourt. Not guarding that we haven’t seen this year so we’re just preparing like we usually do.”
G Miles Kelly:
Returning to Atlanta after transferring from Georgia Tech:
“I wouldn't say I really changed for the most part. I'm still the same guy I was here, hard working, likes to get in the gym and stuff like that. It's just adapting to my new teammates and stuff like that. I think that's the biggest difference from Georgia Tech and here, just learning how to play with new players and seeing where they're comfortable on the court and stuff like that.”
G Chad Baker-Mazara:
Injury (hip) update:
“I'm doing good. I had a couple days to rest up.”
Thoughts on Michigan:
“They've got pretty good guards, talented bigs. They've got a pretty good overall team. We've got to stick to our defensive game plan, and I feel like we'd be able to guard them.”
F Chris Moore:
On Auburn’s effort improvement against Creighton:
“I was real proud. It just showed that once we were connected on the court, one unit that we’re the best team in the country and we’re a scary team to play against.”
Injury update:
“I feel a lot better. Like I said I won’t be 100% but I will be as close to 100 as I can get.”
PF Chaney Johnson:
On playing Donaldson:
“But I mean, being able to play against my guy Tre is also a great feeling. Being able to compete with him. He used to compete during practice last year, but compete in a meaningful game. I mean it means a lot to testament to both of our works, both of our teams’ work. So it is going to be a great feeling.”
On large Auburn crowd expected:
“Auburn is going to show up. I done had so many people, I'm telling me how they're going to show up to this game and I know it's an important game for them. Important game for us. So our fans are going to show, they're going to show almost every game that we've had this year.”
C Dylan Cardwell:
On getting to play in the Sweet 16 in his hometown:
“It's a dream come true and full circle moment. I grew up watching the Hawks in Philips Arena. It's real fun to be in Atlanta. Shout out to McEachern High School. I don't know what high school you went to, but McEachern is the best high school in all of Georgia, we got Sharife Cooper, Isaac Okoro.”
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
Patrick is a junior from Auburn, Alabama, double majoring in journalism and marketing. He started with The Plainsman in the fall of 2022.
You can follow him on X (Twitter) at @patrickabingham
