Media timeout, 1st half — under 8: Auburn 21, Michigan 20

The pace has picked up out of the break, as Donaldson makes a two, Auburn splits a pair of free throws, a turnover turns into another bucket for the Tigers, and Wolf drains a 3 for the Wolverines. A Miles Kelly 3 is answered by Wolf on the other end for two, as he put Michigan up, 20-19. A Pettiford transition layup puts the Tigers back ahead as a back-and-forth rhythm has developed, too.

Another break in the action hits as Denver Jones misses a 3 and it rolls out of bounds, with Auburn leading 21-20 after more than 10 minutes of play. (7:24, 1st half)

Media timeout, 1st half — under 12: Michigan 13, Auburn 13

Dylan Cardwell splits a pair of free throws and Auburn throws a press a Michigan, which Rubin Jones breaks for a transition layup attempt. He’s fouled, but makes both free throws before a Michigan stop and Wolf transition layup to tie the game, 9-9. Broome adds two more on the other end before Wolf makes it four straight with a post up shot off glass over Broome going down.

Auburn retakes the lead, as Broome gets a couple chances at a put back and finally gets one to go down. After a few back-and-forth empty possessions with a handful of turnovers, Goldin gets a post up opportunity against Broome and sheds him for an easy two. Michigan comes up with a stop and Goldin is fouled on the floor by Cardwell, spurring a TV timeout with the game tied at 13 at the under 12 timeout.

Media timeout, 1st half — under 16: Auburn 8, Michigan 5

After neither team got the offense going for a few possessions, Auburn secures an offensive rebound, which is kicked out to guard Denver Jones behind the arc and his 3-point look was good to open the scoring. After a miss from Nimari Burnett late in the shot clock and a miss from Johni Broome in close, Tre Donaldson — who transferred to Michigan from Auburn — buries a 3 to get Michigan on the board. Michigan takes a brief lead on a two from Burnett before Broome buries a corner 3 on the other end. A slick Jones drive and layup for the Tigers stretches the lead to three for the Tigers.

A foul on Danny Wolf under the basket on a put back attempt will see Auburn go to the line for free throws after a TV timeout. (1st half

Tipoff

Auburn, wearing white, wins the tip and starts with the ball, but quickly turns it over to Michigan, clad in blue.

Pregame

Michigan State came from behind over the Rebels and will await the winner of the Tigers and Wolverines in the Elite Eight. In two meetings this season, Michigan State beat Michigan twice.

Tipoff for Michigan and Auburn is set for 10 p.m.

Intro

No. 5 seed Michigan (27-9) continues its march through the South Region of the NCAA Tournament tonight against No. 1 seed and top overall seed Auburn (30-5), with tipoff scheduled for 9:39 p.m., or around 25 minutes after the conclusion of the earlier game.

The earlier game is of import to the Wolverines, as No. 2 seed Michigan State faces No. 6 seed Ole Miss. If the Spartans and Wolverines both win, the two teams will meet in the Elite Eight, the first NCAA Tournament matchup of the in-state rivalry. 

But to get that far, Michigan will need to upset one of the best teams in the country this season in the Tigers, led by big man Johni Broome. Broome averages 18.4 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. 

The Tigers are balanced, though, with five players averaging double figures. They are also old, with four seniors among the top five scorers. The lone underclassman in freshman guard Tahaad Pettiford, one of the top recruits in his class who has earned starting minutes alongside much older players. 

And with this group, Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl guided his team to a 30-win season and the top seed in the tournament behind a high-powered, high-flying style. The Tigers average more than 80 points per game on offense, limit turnovers and defend emphatically, hunting blocks, with the six per game ranking in the top 10 nationally.

Overall, the matchup isn’t quite as daunting stylistically for Michigan, opposed to its last opponent, Texas A&M. The combination of 7-footers in Danny Wolf and Vladislav Goldin for Michigan should be able to hang on the boards over Broome and Auburn center Dylan Cardwell. 

But style and matchups aside, Michigan should have its hands full in this Sweet 16 matchup against arguably the best team in the country. 

Follow along here for live updates from Detroit News contributor Andrew Graham.

South region

MICHIGAN vs. AUBURN

 What: Regional semifinal

 Tipoff: 9:39 Friday, State Farm Arena, Atlanta

 TV/radio: CBS/950

 Records: Michigan 27-9, No. 5 seed; Auburn 30-5, No. 1 seed

 Line: Auburn by 7½

 Only previous meeting: Michigan 102-81, Dec. 28, 1993