Johni Broome addresses relationship with Tre Donaldson ahead of Sweet 16 matchup

When Auburn takes the court for its Sweet Sixteen matchup against Michigan on Friday, the Tigers will see a familiar face on the other sideline. Tre Donaldson transferred from Auburn to UM over the offseason, and he’ll now go against his former team.

It’s just one of the storylines in the showdown. Johni Broome, however, made it clear he still has a strong relationship with Donaldson and ha even watched the Wolverines this season.

Broome said he and Donaldson talk often after the latter entered the transfer portal last offseason. He expects an “fun” matchup – but come tip-off, though, Broome knows it will be competitive.

“It’s gonna be fun,” Broome said Thursday on the TBS pregame show ahead of Maryland vs. Florida. “Me and Tre have a good relationship. While he was here, he was my point guard. So obviously, we had a good relationship. But it’s going to be fun.

“I talk to him probably once every two weeks. We keep in touch. I’ve watched a lot of Michigan games because of him. It’s kind of a coincidence that we’re playing each other. He’s competitive, as well, so it’s going to be a good matchup.”

Charles Barkley: Tre Donaldson ‘wants Auburn’

Tre Donaldson appeared in 35 games at Auburn a season ago, including 10 starts. He averaged 6.7 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists before entering the portal and committing to Michigan. One of the many transfer additions for the Wolverines, he’s fitting in well.

Donaldson helped fuel Michigan’s run to a Big Ten tournament title in Dusty May’s first year as head coach. Entering the NCAA Tournament, he’s averaging 11.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists as the Wolverines came in as a No. 5 seed in the tournament field.

Earlier in the tournament, Auburn great Charles Barkley made it clear Donaldson is going to be ready to take on his former team. He told Barkley about it even before Michigan played a game in March Madness.

“I hate that we lost him at Auburn, but man, he’s done a fabulous job,” Barkley said at halftime of the St. John’s vs. Nebraska Omaha game in the Round of 64. “Let me tell you something. He wants to win, because he wants Auburn. I talked to him the other day, he says, ‘You know, we play Auburn?’ I said, ‘Trust me. I already know.’ He says, ‘I want that Auburn team.’ So I’m excited for him.”