Johni Broome injury update: Bruce Pearl reveals practice status of Auburn star before Final Four

Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl provided the latest on star player Johni Broome ahead of the Final Four. Pearl originally said that he expected Broome to play against the Gators earlier this week. At this point, it’s just about rest.

Auburn’s been one of the best teams all season long but at this point, it might only go as far as Broome can take it. All four No. 1 seeds made the Final Four.

“All I can tell you is that he’s not gonna practice for a couple days,” Pearl said on Pardon My Take. “He needs to rest and recover. All year long he’s bounced back from injuries; a shoulder, an ankle. I have no doubt that he’ll bounce back from this but we probably won’t move him much until Thursday.”

Broome still played 29 minutes in the Elite Eight, finishing with 25 points and 14 rebounds. He sent State Farm Arena into a frenzy with a made three-pointer after coming back onto the court. At the time, Michigan State was making a push but Broome’s shot felt like a dagger.

No matter how the season finishes, Broome is in a two-horse race to win National Player of the Year. Duke’s Cooper Flagg is the other competitor and he will be playing in the Final Four as well. Some might even be hoping they face off against one another in the national championship game.

Todd Golden was the only coach to take Pearl down on the Plains this season. A bit of revenge might be on Auburn’s mind because of it. Florida took the Tigers down on Feb. 8 by nine, a game Broome was not at his best. Yes, a double-double is on the stat sheet but 18 points wound up being just below his season average.

Griffin McVeigh contributed to this report