No. 1 seed Auburn and No. 2 seed Michigan are set to clash in the Elite Eight inside of State Farm Arena today for a spot in the coveted Final Four. Here's what some of our sports staff has to say about the clash between the Tigers and Spartans, complete with score predictions and analysis.
Patrick Bingham, Sports Editor: Auburn 75-69
"Michigan State has yet to lose a game this season when scoring 70-or-more points. I think this will be a knock down drag out type game with a spot in the Final Four on the line."
Rory Garvin, Sports Writer: Auburn 81-75
Auburn’s mantra all season long has been “Make History”. Well, Bruce Pearl’s squad is 40 minutes away from booking their ticket to the Final Four for the second time in school history.
This isn’t going to be an easy game for the Tigers, as the Spartans are led by legendary coach Tom Izzo who holds a stunning 8-2 record in Elite 8 games.
However, Auburn is battle-tested and truly prepared for this heavyweight bout. Of the seven other Elite 8 teams, the Tigers played five during the regular season.
“We want it bad for this university, especially myself. I want to reward this university for allowing me to come here. This is what I came here to do,” Auburn’s Johni Broome told AL.com Saturday afternoon.
When it’s all said and done, this has been Auburn’s goal all season long and the 10 seniors on the roster will hang another banner outside Neville Arena.
Albert Osorio, Sports Writer: Auburn 73-68
"It was a terrible, sloppy game that Auburn played last Friday but somehow won. There were lots of turnovers and players going cold from behind the line, which is something rarely seen and uncharacteristic for this Auburn team. However, I believe that they will fix those mistakes on Sunday, as long as the guards get going early and set the tone. Auburn's bigs will also have to step up because I feel that they have the advantage and could be in for a huge game as well. It could be a close game though, as Michigan State has better guards than their in-state rival."
Reid Farris, Sports Writer: Auburn 76-64
"Auburn has some of their old confidence back and I believe Chad Baker-Mazara and Miles Kelly will step up after having less than desirable games for the both of them. If Dylan Cardwell and Johni Broome stay physical in the paint I do not see Michigan State being able to stop them. The Tigers will play their style of ball and find their way to their second ever Final Four."
Jack Chambers, Sports Writer: Auburn 72-64
"For the first 29 minutes Auburn did not look like the same Auburn team we have seen dominant for most of the season. Sloppy play and bad turnovers killed the Tigers all night but the last 11 miniutes is something that fans and the players will look to to try and replicate. A barrage of threes, great offensive possessions, limiting turnovers and playing great man to man defense in the last 11 minutes defined that Auburn win. Auburn will need to try and keep that play up as they play a hungry and relatively young Spartan team that is sprinkled with vets. Tom Izzo has his team playing hard defense forcing teams into tough three pointers as they are one of the best teams in the country defending the three. Auburn will again need Johni Broome to play very well as Michigan State has multiple guys, they will throw at him. Auburns guards need to continue their strong play on both sides of the ball as they face a more talented and deeper guard rotation at Michigan State led by Seniors Tre Holloman, and Jadon Akins and Freshmen Jeremy Fears and potential lotter pick Jase Richardson. The Spartans don't shoot the three-ball as well as Michigan but can still get hot at any time. All in all, this game will be a war in all facets of the game, but Auburns guards and Johni Broome will need to step up again to move on to the final four."
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