The Final Four hopes of Auburn may hinge on a single elbow as star forward Johni Broome battles to recover from a hyperextension suffered during the Tigers’ Elite Eight victory over Michigan State.
The SEC Player of the Year and National Player of the Year candidate briefly exited Sunday’s game mouthing “I’m done” while clutching his arm before ultimately returning to help secure Auburn’s Final Four berth.
Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl provided a cautiously optimistic update on Thursday, telling sources that Broome will “hopefully practice today.” The 6’10” forward has missed several practice sessions since Sunday’s injury scare as the team manages his recovery ahead of Saturday’s high-stakes Final Four match with Florida. Broome himself confirmed his status while getting ready for his first practice since the injury telling sources “I’ll be ready to go for Saturday.”
Johni Broome’s Presence Critical for Tigers’ Championship Hopes
The significance of Broome’s availability cannot be overstated as Auburn prepares to face Florida, which previously defeated them 90-81 in February. Averaging an impressive 18.7 points and 10.9 rebounds per game this season, his dominance in the paint transforms Auburn’s offensive and defensive capabilities.
“This guy is a Monster on the court!!” noted one fan on social media, echoing the sentiment of many Auburn supporters anxiously awaiting confirmation of their star’s status.
Despite the injury, Broome finished Sunday’s Elite Eight game with a dominant 25 points and 14 rebounds performance in 29 minutes of action.
Auburn’s Johni Broome (elbow) will “hopefully practice today”, per Bruce Pearl.
Broome has missed the last few practices after suffering the injury on Sunday against Michigan State.
Averages 18.7 PPG and 10.9 RPG.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) April 3, 2025
Pearl has implemented a strategic recovery plan since the injury occurred, keeping Broome out of practice for multiple days.
“We’re going to go Tuesday and Wednesday without him. He needs to let that elbow rest,” Pearl told CBS Sports earlier this week. “Fortunately, he’s got no injury, but he did put some stress on the joint.”
The medical assessment has been encouraging, with X-rays showing no structural damage to Broome’s elbow. Broome himself expressed optimism after Sunday’s game, sharing that doctors confirmed nothing serious had occurred during the awkward landing.
This positive news reinforces Pearl’s earlier statement to The Field of 68 that he “fully expects” Broome to play on Saturday.
Auburn’s depth has been tested during Broome’s limited absences throughout the season. Players like Chaney Johnson and Dylan Cardwell stepped up during the brief period Broome was sidelined against Michigan State, with Johnson contributing eight crucial points.
Earlier in the season, when Broome missed time with an ankle sprai,n Johnson delivered 17 points and eight rebounds in a victory over Mississippi State.
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However, Florida presents a much more formidable challenge than Mississippi State with a frontcourt featuring Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh that will require Broome’s full arsenal of skills to contain. When these teams met in February, Broome was limited by foul trouble a significant factor in Auburn’s defeat.
The Final Four matchup between Auburn and Florida tips off at 6:09 p.m. ET on Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
Johni Broome getting set for his first practice since hyperextending his elbow.
“I’ll be ready to go for Saturday,” he told me. pic.twitter.com/rEOLBtzGxz
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 3, 2025
With Broome’s declaration that “I’ll be ready to go for Saturday” Auburn’s chances of avenging their regular season loss and advancing to the national championship game have increased dramatically. As one noted on social media “His presence in the paint changes EVERYTHING.”
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