Down 9, that game could not have looked much bleaker. No one other than Johni could do anything. We were completely off our game. @MattAU05 and I texted each other at the same time that someone else had to find their game immediately. In fitting fashion, our two most clutch guys all year, Haad and Denver, nailed back to back 3s to bring us back from the precipice of the abyss. The 31-7 run that followed to put us up 70-56 with under 3 to play was one of the most dominant runs this team, or any Auburn team, has ever made with this much on the line. Credit to Bruce and our guys for having the championship caliber character to take every punch UM could throw and then come off the ropes to hit them with our best run of the season.
We clearly played poorly on offense for long stretches tonight. The turnovers were nearly the end of this season. A normal night where we value the ball and don’t make so many mistakes, we’re up by 15 at the half and win going away. That gives me confidence that this was an aberration and we can clean that up for the rest of this run towards history.
Johni answered all the doubters tonight. When no one else could find a bucket, he put the team on his back and kept us alive. 22 and 15 is an absolutely monster night when facing 2 7 footers who played like they belong in the NBA right now for much of the night.
Haad is a legend in my book after tonight. Kid was fearless and the spark that saved us in the second half. Kid deserves a massive raise for next year.
Denver was equally amazing during the run in the second half. Hit the 3 to cut their lead to one possession then followed it up with a personal 8-0 run to take control of the game. Just an incredible performance on the biggest stage.
What a ride this season has been. Hard to describe how much this has meant to me as a fan and I’m sure it has to many of you as well. Michigan state is a solid team, but I don’t think they’ll pose nearly the same issues we had tonight with 7 footers driving and scoring off the dribble. Get back to our normal low turnover offense, play suffocating D and this team will earn a trip to San Antonio.
We clearly played poorly on offense for long stretches tonight. The turnovers were nearly the end of this season. A normal night where we value the ball and don’t make so many mistakes, we’re up by 15 at the half and win going away. That gives me confidence that this was an aberration and we can clean that up for the rest of this run towards history.
Johni answered all the doubters tonight. When no one else could find a bucket, he put the team on his back and kept us alive. 22 and 15 is an absolutely monster night when facing 2 7 footers who played like they belong in the NBA right now for much of the night.
Haad is a legend in my book after tonight. Kid was fearless and the spark that saved us in the second half. Kid deserves a massive raise for next year.
Denver was equally amazing during the run in the second half. Hit the 3 to cut their lead to one possession then followed it up with a personal 8-0 run to take control of the game. Just an incredible performance on the biggest stage.
What a ride this season has been. Hard to describe how much this has meant to me as a fan and I’m sure it has to many of you as well. Michigan state is a solid team, but I don’t think they’ll pose nearly the same issues we had tonight with 7 footers driving and scoring off the dribble. Get back to our normal low turnover offense, play suffocating D and this team will earn a trip to San Antonio.
