Michigan vs. Auburn in Sweet 16 features full-circle moment for these two transfers
ATLANTA — When Danny Wolf and his Yale teammates began watching film of Auburn ahead of their NCAA Tournament first-round matchup a year ago, backup guard Tre Donaldson unexpectedly caught their eye.
“When we saw the highlights, we were all looking around and — I don’t want to use bad words, but I was like, ‘Oh crap, this kid can go,’” Wolf recalled at Sweet 16 media day on Thursday.
Wolf was more than convinced of Donaldson’s talent after Yale teammates upset Auburn. Both later transferred to Michigan, and now they are set for a Sweet 16 showdown against top-seeded Auburn.
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“From the moment that Michigan was telling me they were recruiting him in the portal, when I kind of had an idea as to where I was going, I knew he was a kid I wanted to play with,” Wolf said.
Donaldson and Wolf — alongside other impact transfers in center Vladislav Goldin and guard Roddy Gayle Jr. — have turned Michigan around, from a 8-24 season a year ago to a Big Ten tournament title this year.
But as both players come back to a familiar matchup in the Sweet 16, Michigan head coach Dusty May emphasized insight from past years likely won’t help against Auburn.
“As far as Danny knowing how to beat Auburn, if you play a team, if we could beat the Hawks 1 out of 100 times, it doesn’t mean I know how to beat Quin Snyder and the Hawks,” May said. “I’m not sure any of us know how to beat Auburn other than play really, really good, sound, poised basketball for about 80 possessions, hopefully.”
Auburn vs. Michigan date, start time, where to watch
- Game Day: Friday, March 28, 2025
- Game Time: 9:39 p.m. ET
- Location: State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia
- TV Channel: CBS
- Live Stream: Fubo - Watch Now!
Auburn vs. Michigan odds
Odds as of Monday, March 24 via BetMGM.
- Spread: Auburn -8.5 (-115)
- Moneyline Favorite: Auburn -400
- Moneyline Underdog: Michigan +310
- Total: 153.5
Gunter Schroeder is a student in the University of Georgia's Sports Media Certificate program.