Michigan guard Tre Donaldson helped lead the Wolverines to the Big 10 tournament title in his first season in Ann Arbor.

Now he’ll be tasked with guarding his former teammates as Michigan plays Auburn basketball Friday evening in the Sweet 16.

“I wouldn’t say it’s circled,” Donaldson said when asked about the Auburn matchup. “The likelihood of this happening wasn’t really high, so I mean just the opportunity is a blessing, and I’m looking forward to it.”

“I was there for two years, so I know how it operates, I know how everything runs,” Donaldson added. “When you’re around people for so long, you catch on to what they do for sure. I definitely have tried to help as much as I can with that aspect just to give us our best chance to win.”

Donaldson averaged 2.5 points as a freshman and 6.7 points as a sophomore while at Auburn. With Michigan, Donaldson is averaging 11.6 points and a team-high 4.2 assists.

“From my understanding, he’s very appreciative of his Auburn experience. They won. It’s got him to where he is now as a person,” Michigan coach Dusty May said about Donaldson. “So, no, he’s never been negative at all about Bruce Pearl or his teammates or anyone. I think it’s just he needed a change, and that’s not always unhealthy.”

Auburn’s Chad Baker-Mazara was elated at the opportunity to play against Donaldson.

Last week when finding out Auburn was facing against Michigan in the next round, Mazara shouted to all his teammates in the locker room ‘Guys we got Tre’.

“It gives us a little bit more confidence because we get to know them a little better. At the same time, we’re excited and ready to hoop, whoever we get to play,” Mazara said. “Tre is my brother; I can’t wait to see him and give him a hug.”

For Tigers starting guard Denver Jones, Donaldson will be his primary assignment on defense and expects Tre to be more than ready.

“I mean, obviously, there’s going to be more of a sense of urgency, because he used to play here. He’s a brother. We’re trying to come out on top,” Jones said. “I feel like it’s going to be a different level of locking in, and we’re going to be the more excited team to play.”

Auburn assistant coach Steven Pearl spoke on the Donaldson matchup and the plan when getting the team prepared for the scouting report.

“You can’t overthink it, and you can’t overdo it, you know? Well, he was in the system for a couple years. We’re doing a lot of new stuff this year. Our personnel changed a good bit. So, he has a good idea of some of our sets and some of our actions and how we like to guard a little bit,” Pearl said Thursday.

“But, yeah, we’re doing enough new stuff this year where we’re not going to change what we do, just to combat what his knowledge is of the system.”

Chaney Johnson’s first memories of Donaldson were the fierce battles in practice last year at Auburn. Now playing on opposite sides on the NCAA tournament stage, Johnson knows that emotions will be different.

“Being able to compete with Tre is going to be a great feeling,” Johnson said. “He used to compete during practice last year but competing in a meaningful game, I mean it means a lot to both of our teams’ work. So, it is going to be fun.”

Michigan and Auburn are scheduled to tipoff tomorrow at 8:39 p.m. and the game will be televised on CBS.

Jerry Humphrey III covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @Jerryhump3 or email him at [email protected].