Justin Pippen, a freshman at Michigan, has decided to transfer, according to a report from 247Sports. The statement was made a few days after the Wolverines advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament by defeating Texas A&M.
The son of NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen, Justin Pippen is moving on. During the 2024–25 season, Pippen averaged 1.6 points in 6.7 minutes per game while playing in 28 games for the Wolverines.
3 keys to a Michigan basketball upset over Auburn in the Sweet 16
With top-seeded Auburn waiting, it will be difficult for the Michigan basketball team to make it past the Sweet 16.
There’s a reason the Tigers are ranked first in the NCAA tournament. They have one of the greatest head coaches in the sport and one of the leading contenders for player of the year.
Auburn is also battled tested. The Tigers have 14 quadrant-1 wins. They haven’t lost to any team ranked outside the top 20 of the Kenpom rankings and they are also listed as a nearly double-digit favorite heading into Friday night’s game.
It’s a difficult matchup but in some ways, it’s a good one for Michigan basketball. The Wolverines will need to be at their best to keep this incredible postseason run going, and here are three. keys to pulling off an upset Friday night.
Make life tough on Johni Broome
In Auburn’s five losses this season, Broome has averaged 20.6 points per game, two points higher than his season scoring average, so it’s not as simple as saying you need to slow him down.
Michigan must make his life difficult, and given its length, it may be able to do so. Michigan basketball has relied on winning the 2-point contest, reducing turnovers, and avoiding shooting 20 percent from three-point range throughout the season.
In this game, it will be the same. I wouldn’t give Auburn’s shooters too much assistance and let them start. Force Broome to take a lot of shots in order to score a lot of points. It will be crucial for the Tigers to limit their assist totals.
Make difficult twos for Auburn and Broome. It contributes to what Michigan does well, but they are definitely good enough to beat you doing that.
Win the rebounding battle
When we were watching Michigan State dominate the Wolverines on the boards, it didn’t seem like the result we saw on Saturday, out-rebounding Texas A&M was possible.
But Michigan basketball has continued to do well on the boards. Not always, as UC San Diego outrebounded Michigan, but the Wolverines had a huge advantage against Maryland. They also had the edge against A&M and will need to do the same against Auburn.
The Tigers average 11.8 offensive rebounds, which ranks in the top 100. They also allow 10.7 which ranks 246th. If Michigan can take advantage of that and limit Auburn on the offensive glass, it could help close the gap between the two teams.
Winning one-on-one competitions
Michigan basketball must accomplish this on both ends of the court. Michigan’s and Auburn’s defensive objectives are comparable. Their goal is to restrict assists and make teams play one-on-one.
It’s easier said than done against Auburn. They are in the top 40 overall and give up just 9.6 assists per game to opponents, despite their average of 16.3 assists per game (33rd). In addition, Michigan is among the top 40 in terms of both limiting assists (11.3) and assists (16.1).
With all the changes on screens, forcing one-on-one plays will be the main focus for each team, even though the Wolverines aren’t quite as effective as Auburn. That also entails rebounding and making defensive 1-on-1 plays.
