The Final Four is here, which means the best of the best will take the floor over the next several days to compete for the right to cut down the nets at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
This year's field will be the most competitive since 2008 because all four No. 1 seeds reached the Final Four. Each team possesses a net ranking of +35 or higher and ranks in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency according to KenPom. College basketball fans can expect a high-quality Final Four filled with the best athletes.
So, who is the best athlete in this year's Final Four? Kyle Boone of CBS Sports recently ranked every starter from each Final Four team, which included Auburn star Johni Broome.
Broome checks in at No. 2 in Boone's rankings, trailing Cooper Flagg of Duke. Flagg gets the edge over Broome for the top honor due to his "do everything" role with the Blue Devils, but Boone considers Broome to be the best player from the best conference.
"In a banner year for the SEC, Broome led the league in rebounds and blocks and was top five in scoring and field goal percentage to boot. He has led Auburn to a 32-5 record and the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament," Boone writes.
Florida's Walter Clayton Jr., Houston's LJ Cryer, and Duke's Kon Knueppel round out the top five, while Chad Baker-Mazara joins Broome in the top 10. Boone says that Baker-Mazara, who ranks No. 6, is vital to the Tigers' rotation due to his high energy and his ability to create turnovers.
Auburn's Final Four opponent, Florida, features two top-10 players in Walter Clayton Jr. (No. 3) and Alijah Martin (No. 7), with forward Alex Condon rounding out the top 15 at No. 13. Boone calls Clayton Jr. Florida's "super hero" due to his ability to step up for the Gators when they need him the most. He will be Florida's biggest factor in Saturday's game with Auburn.
Here is a look at where each Tiger starter landed in Boone's Final Four starters ranking ahead of Saturday's game with Florida:
- F Johni Broome (No. 2)
- G Chad Baker-Mazara (No. 6)
- C Dylan Cardwell (No. 11)
- G Miles Kelly (No. 14)
- G Denver Jones (No. 17)
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This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Auburn's Johni Broome among top Final Four starters by CBS Sports
