Michigan Beats Auburn 102-72 to Reach Players Era Final

Yaxel Lendeborg and Roddy Gayle Jr. scored 17 points each to guide No. 7 Michigan to a 102-72 victory over No. 21 Auburn on Tuesday. This win secured Michigan a spot in the championship game of the Players Era men’s tournament in Las Vegas.

Michigan dominated from the start, taking control after Auburn’s Tahaad Pettiford made the first two free throws. The Wolverines responded with an 11-0 run, setting the tone for the game. Nimari Burnett and Morez Johnson Jr. added 15 points each, helping Michigan build an early lead.

Auburn briefly cut the deficit to 28-20 with a dunk by Filip Jovic, but Michigan answered with an 8-0 run, highlighted by Burnett’s putback, giving the Wolverines a 36-20 lead with 7:16 left in the first half. Lendeborg extended the lead to 44-24 with a three-point play, and Gayle later made it 72-42 with a three-pointer early in the second half. Michigan led 59-31 at halftime, showing complete control.

In the second half, Michigan continued to dominate. Gayle added another three-pointer to make it 85-52 with 9:26 remaining. Winters Grady hit a late trey, pushing the lead to 100-65 with just over two minutes left. The Wolverines’ shooting was impressive, hitting 51.5% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc. Auburn struggled, making only 35.5% of shots and 41.7% from three-point range.

Michigan’s rebounds and fastbreak points were key. The Wolverines outrebounded Auburn 51-35 and had a 29-3 advantage in fastbreak scoring. Trey McKenney added 11 points and L.J. Cason contributed 10 points and three steals, showcasing Michigan’s team effort.

For Auburn, Pettiford scored 16 points, Keyshawn Hall had 15, Filip Jovic put up 13, and KeShawn Murphy added 12. Despite their efforts, the Tigers could not match Michigan’s intensity and fell behind quickly.

Michigan’s win over Auburn was their second blowout in two nights. They previously defeated San Diego State 94-54, giving them a tournament point margin of +40. The Wolverines will face a yet-to-be-determined opponent in the Players Era championship game later Tuesday night.

Michigan’s strong shooting, quick transitions, and teamwork highlighted their performance. With standout contributions from Lendeborg, Gayle, Burnett, and Johnson Jr., the Wolverines are now in a strong position to compete for the tournament title. Their ability to dominate both offensively and defensively sets a high standard for the championship game.