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).
Fans didn’t hold back, either.
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.’
More to follow…..
The post Tahaad Pettiford Delivers Instant Karma After Tre Donaldson’s Rude Gesture as NCAA Community Shows No Mercy appeared first on EssentiallySports.
