ATLANTA — Johni Broome looked like the nation’s best player in Auburn’s 70-64 victory over second-seeded Michigan State in the Elite Eight on Sunday before he went down with what a appeared to be an elbow and leg injury.
He went to the locker room with 10:37 left in the game, but returned with his arm wrapped about 5 minutes later. But Broome immediately silenced any doubts about his well-being with a 3-pointer in front of Auburn coach Bruce Pearl.
Johni Broome. Absolute cinema 🙌
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 30, 2025
He returns from the locker room to a HUGE ovation and immediately knocks down the triple 👏#MarchMadness@AuburnMBBpic.twitter.com/pCNSPfCZuV
Pearl said he didn’t get a diagnosis from the team doctor, but asked Broome if he could play.
“He said, ‘I am,’” Pearl said. “I said, ‘Well, get your (expletive) in there.’”
Broome, who had an ice pack on his right arm in the postgame news conference, finished with 25 points and 14 rebounds, working Michigan State’s big men on the baseline and interior with ease on several occasions.
JOHNI BROOME WITH AUTHORITY 🔨#MarchMadness@AuburnMBBpic.twitter.com/8XuCJGJwKO
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 30, 2025
Pearl said the team would likely know more about Broome’s injury on Monday.
The senior forward posted a double-double in the first half and added to that in the second half, despite the injury, to lead the Tigers ...
