The last time the legendary coach brought a team that far in the NCAA Tournament was also in 2019. In that year's Elite Eight, his Michigan State team also took down the No. 1 overall seed to punch a ticket to the Final Four — a memorable 68-67 upset of Zion Williamson-led Duke.

It appeared Auburn would've had to play the final 10 minutes of Sunday's Elite Eight game without Johni Broome. Instead, he played hero.

The Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team has been eliminated from the 2025 NCAA tournament. The No. 2 seed Spartans fell to the top-seeded Auburn Tigers on Sunday afternoon 64-70 in the Elite Eight round of the tournament.

Michigan State isn't known for its shooting, but even for the Spartans, they were cold to start vs Auburn in Elite 8 of March Madness.

Auburn is moving on to the Elite 8! Auburn last played in the second weekend of the NCAA tournaments in 2019 and made the final four. If you believe in omens, Friday was a sign of another possible final-four run.

SportsLine expert Matt Severance has revealed his Michigan State vs. Auburn Tigers picks for the Elite Eight of the 2025 NCAA Tournament on Sunday

According to the ESPN Matchup Predictor, the Tigers have a 68.8% chance of winning the Elite Eight matchup and advance to the Final Four. The Spartans are predicted to have a 31.2% chance of winning.

Auburn pulled off a big second-half swing to beat Michigan in the Sweet 16 and punch a ticket to the Elite Eight against Michigan State.

Broome left the game midway through the second half after landing awkwardly on his right arm and left leg, but has returned to finish the game.