Auburn has only played five games of its 2024-25 season. It’s still just November. And yet, the Tigers have already picked up two wins over AP top-five opponents – for the first time in the same season in program history.
In both of Auburn’s wins over No. 4 Houston and No. 5 Iowa State, while Bruce Pearl and his squad have leaned on a deep rotation, it's been the Tigers’ superstar Johni Broome that’s put together a 20-point performance against the nation’s best.
“Broome was not recruited at a high major level. He's got a chance to be one of the best players in college basketball. He was a three star. He wears that,” Pearl said of his star big man.
Last night against No. 5 Iowa State, Broome played a career-high 36 minutes – partially due to foul trouble from Chaney Johnson and Dylan Cardwell – but the most important moment of the senior’s near-full game performance was the final second tipping in a shot to put Auburn over the top.

“Our first objective was to get a stop. You know, we pride ourselves on defense, and as you can see, the second half, we took a lot of pride in that. So in order for us to even get that last position, we gotta get a stop to be able to win the game,” Broome said of the leadup to the final sequence.
“Coach wanted a simple hot ball screen with me and Denver. Denver drove, and we teach it every day in practice…You know, me and Dylan were down there. We were two animals, and he got it on the rim and let God do the rest,” Broome said of the last second basket.
The tip-in, while most importantly solidifying the win for Auburn, got Broome his tenth rebound for his 63rd career double-double and 31st straight game in double figures. In celebration of the nail-biting win, Broome’s right leg cramped up as the Tigers’ bench exploded in excitement.
“Yeah, I cramped up my right leg, you know, we're in a different environment a little bit. I played a couple extra minutes tonight, but, I kind of trained myself to be conditioned and play through conditions like that,” Broome said.
Pearl jokingly quickly interjected saying, “he played the whole game!”

With two more games in as many days remaining for the Tigers at the Maui Invitational, Broome’s usage and intensity will be put to the test physically – especially considering his career-high 36 minutes in the opening round matchup.
But, regardless of how many minutes Broome, or any Tigers, plays over the next two days, Pearl will continue to emphasize a suppressing effort defensively – a big factor in Auburn;s comeback on Monday night.
“Coach really emphasized, especially on the big guys too. Whenever a shot goes up to go be there for the second chance points,” Chad Baker-Mazara said. “He's been on Johni a little bit more about it. So I feel like today, he was just being a beast down in the paint. He was in the right position at the right time, and just was able to get a good tip.”
Playing the entire second half, Broome collected seven rebounds, forced two steals, had a block and shot 5-for-7 from the field. The big man also

“Well, one of the things that we talk about with Auburn basketball is to try to make history,” Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl said following the win. “We've made history, but we're not celebrating. That was a really good Iowa State team…The guys did a good job at halftime, kind of getting after each other and not quitting.”
Broome and the Tigers will take the court again in the Lahaina Civic Center against No. 12 North Carolina at 10 p.m. CST on ESPN with a trip to the Maui Invitational championship game on the line.
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Patrick is a junior from Auburn, Alabama, double majoring in journalism and marketing. He started with The Plainsman in the fall of 2022.
You can follow him on X (Twitter) at @patrickabingham