Tre Donaldson should have thought twice before making that “too small” gesture. With 11:09 left on the clock, the Michigan guard pulled up for a jumper, drained it, and immediately directed the taunt at Auburn freshman Tahaad Pettiford. It was a bold move for someone who had missed four of his first six shots in the game. Maybe it was because Pettiford had started cold, going 0-for-3. Maybe it was because Pettiford was already known for his emphatic block against Ole Miss. Either way, Donaldson wouldn’t know what hit him next. Everything, including his transfer to Michigan, would hit him hard.

Donaldson had arrived in Ann Arbor after transferring from Auburn in April 2024. He had options, considering Georgia, Florida State, Oklahoma, and others before settling on the Wolverines. But his numbers remained modest: the 6-foot-3 sophomore averaged 6.7 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. Against Auburn, he had five points after his taunt—and then, the basketball gods intervened.

Auburn reporter Justin Hokanson summed it up best on X: “Tre Donaldson had five points with 11:09 in the first half after he gave Tahaad Pettiford the ‘too small’ gesture after making a bucket. Donaldson didn’t score the rest of the game and had four turnovers. Pettiford had 20 points after that moment.” Instant karma.

When the moment demanded heroes, Tahaad Pettiford and senior Denver Jones answered the call, powering No. 1 seed Auburn to a commanding 78-65 win over No. 5 seed Michigan in the Sweet 16. The Tigers (31-5) stormed back from a nine-point deficit with a ruthless 39-17 closing run, securing their third-ever Elite Eight berth. In doing so, they joined elite company—becoming just the fourth SEC team to reach a regional final, alongside rare feats by the ACC (2016) and Big East (2009). But more importantly, they silenced Donaldson.

Fans didn’t hold back, either.

Tahaad has been the most-loved freshman among the Tigers nation this year. He maybe averaging 11.8 points and 2.2 rebounds, but the young guard knows to come in clutch. “There’s not too many freshmen who can take over a game like he can,” Johni Broome says of his teammate. But even off the court, brotherhood is on another level attests Bruce Pearl. “These guys are best friends,” a part of his comments read as he explains how the seniors just know to fool around and shower love on the young talent.

So by the looks of it, Auburn veterans aren’t the only ones holding that puppy love for their freshman. If Donaldson’s gesture made anything clear, the Tiger Nation is protective of their player and they are going to come at you in an instant.

Auburn’s Tre Donaldson taunts, Michigan’s Tahaad Pettiford responds with 20—Fans React

One took to social media to twist the knife: ‘Tre Donaldson after calling Haad too small: 0 pts, 0/6 FG, 4 TO. Tahaad Pettiford after getting called too small: 20 pts, 7/14 FG, 2 TO. Don’t disrespect my GOAT.’

Donaldson’s taunt didn’t age well. Pettiford exploded in the second half—knocking down five shots, draining three free throws, and dropping 15 points. Meanwhile, Donaldson? Silent. He had just five points at halftime on 2-of-6 shooting with three turnovers.

One fan summed it up perfectly:“TRE DONALDSON, DON’T CALL TAHAAD TOO SMALL EVER AGAIN.”

The Auburn guard might think twice before chirping again, especially on an off night. He went scoreless after halftime, didn’t register a single assist or rebound, and coughed up another turnover.

One fan didn’t hold back:“Tre Donaldson didn’t score after calling Tahaad Pettiford too small. Tahaad has 20 since then. Karma is a bitch.”

Donaldson missed all three of his second-half attempts—a layup, a three, and a jumper—before getting benched twice, his final exit coming with just two minutes left. His bad form proved costly, as Michigan, which trailed Auburn by just one at halftime, ended up losing by 13 points.

Another fan nailed it:“Tre Donaldson, 2-9 shooting, 0 assists, 4 turnovers. You can’t win in March with that stat line, let alone as a No. 1 seed.”

While Danny Wolf did his part—going 9-of-8 from the field for 20 points, six rebounds, one block, and an assist—he couldn’t carry the team alone. Auburn was doomed by Donaldson and Vladislav Goldin’s combined 2-of-9 shooting and seven turnovers, dragging Wolf down with them.

“Don’t mess with our Tahaad! ” another asserted. The love and respect for the No. 1 point guard in the Class of 2024 has been evident through and through. So far into the tournament, he has put up 59 points, helping the team in clutch. He’s a crucial piece of the team; Pearl owns it, the team knows it, and the fans scream it out. So if anyone thinks of disrespecting him again, they better watch out.