Throughout the season, Auburn has kept reminding its fanbase of its bedrock philosophy- TRUST THE PROCESS. Yet, when Johni Broome, the SEC Player of the Year, went down with an injury during Auburn’s 70-64 victory over Michigan State in the Elite Eight, many feared the sky was falling. The Tigers’ star, known for his dominance on both ends of the court, landed awkwardly during a block attempt and immediately drew a hush from the crowd. Panic began to ripple through the Auburn faithful, but the Tigers’ locker room remained calm, focused, and unshaken.
“I was really just trying to see how hurt [my elbow] was,” Broome said, reflecting on his injury. “There was no worry at all.” His calm demeanor was echoed by Steven Pearl, Auburn’s assistant coach and Bruce Pearl’s son. And well, he made a pretty valid point, citing an example from earlier when Auburn had clung like ivy to the No.1 spot for the majority of the season. Then, well, they lost three games in the first fifteen days of March. What happened after that? Nothing! Auburn is here preparing for its Final Four run.
Speaking on The Next Round podcast, Steven Pearl had to walk into the spotlight to put a stop to the frenzy. “Nothing has flipped you guys were all just panicking for no reason,” he said. “We lost to 3 really good teams and everyone immediately started to panic. Nothing changed on our end. Our kids didn’t press the panic button, they just continued to trust what we do…”
“Nothing has flipped you guys were all just panicking for no reason…
We lost to 3 really good teams and everyone immediately started to panic. Nothing changed on our end. Our kids didn’t press the panic button, they just continued to trust what we do…” Steven Pearl pic.twitter.com/9UfzqxMBlG
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) April 1, 2025
But we understand why, for those watching, Johni Broome’s injury seemed like a devastating blow to Auburn’s Final Four dreams. After all, Broome has been the heart and soul of the Tigers this season, averaging 18.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game, and playing clutch when the team needed him most. But, if it is any help, even after going down, Broome refused to let panic take over. Initially saying, “I’m done,” after the injury, he quickly got the all-clear from the doctor and said, “Wrap this up, let’s go back out there.”
Even if you think Steven is just playing it cool, remembering one certain moment might help your nerves. In a moment of sheer grit, when Dylan Cardwell signaled for a sub, Broome walked right past him and checked himself back into the game. The arena erupted as Broome reentered, hitting a clutch three-pointer and grabbing a rebound with 4:40 left on the clock, signaling his unwavering determination. Steven Pearl’s perspective on the moment only added to the significance, giving the situation the context it deserved. “It was a scary moment, but ended up being a really cool and memorable one,” the assistant coach said, recounting the moment.
As the week progressed, there were growing concerns about Broome’s ability to practice and suit up for Auburn’s upcoming Final Four clash against Florida. Steven Pearl confirmed that Broome wouldn’t practice on Tuesday and would be held out again on Wednesday as he rehabbed his injuries, which included a combination of seven different issues stemming from the one awkward play.
“Johni is not going to practice today. He’s going to take today off and continue to rehab… As the week progresses, hopefully his status does as well,” Steven Pearl explained. Despite these setbacks, Pearl remained optimistic about Broome’s availability for Auburn’s Final Four game. Whatever the case may be, we do know that the team is sure of its abilities and is preparing relentlessly for a battle that promises to be unforgettable.
Final Four Showdown: Broome, Pearl, and Auburn Battle Florida for a Title Shot
The men’s Final Four is set—and for the first time since 2008, it’s all No. 1 seeds. On Saturday, Florida faces Auburn at 6:09 p.m. ET, followed by Houston vs. Duke at 8:49 p.m. ET, both airing on CBS.
NCAA, College League, USA Basketball 2025: Auburn vs Texas Jan 7 Jan 7, 2025. Johni Broome 4 of the Auburn Tigers in action vs the Texas Longhorns at the Moody Center in Austin Texas. Auburn beats Texas 87-82. Robert Backman/CSM Credit Image: Â Robert Backman/Cal Media Austin Texas USA EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20250107_zma_c04_052.jpg RobertxBackmanx csmphotothree342085
Florida’s road to the Final Four has been defined by explosive runs, often flipping games in their favor with game-changing bursts. Down by nine against Texas Tech with 3:14 left, they ended on an 18-4 run. They’ve shown similar comebacks against elite teams, including a 53-point burst in less than 17 minutes against Norfolk State. Walter Clayton Jr. has been crucial to their success, and his star power could be the key to their championship hopes.
Auburn, on the other hand, tightened up defensively after a rough stretch. They’ve limited opponents to under one point per possession since the tournament began. Johni Broome has led the charge, playing through an injury to hit a critical 3-pointer against Michigan State. He’ll need to be at full strength to battle Florida’s deep and talented frontcourt.
Experts favor Florida, predicting a narrow win over Auburn, with scores ranging from 82-79 to 88-84. Florida’s strength lies in its depth, star power, and ability to win in multiple ways, while Auburn’s defense will need to step up to neutralize the Gators’ offensive firepower.
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