Johni Broome injury update: Bruce Pearl shares Thursday news on Auburn star

Johni Broome is an essential piece to Auburn’s operation. Bruce Pearl recognizes that, and that’s why the Tigers head coach is hoping the star forward’s elbow is healed enough for him to suit up for the team against the Florida Gators in the Final Four this coming Saturday.

With all the questions surrounding Broome’s status, Pearl provided an update on Thursday. He’s hoping his star player will be able to practice today, as he hasn’t been able to since suffering the elbow injury against Michigan State in Auburn’s Elite Eight win over Michigan State this past weekend.

“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,” CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein posted on X.

All told, Pearl is expecting Broome to play this coming weekend. He said as much earlier this week. At this point, it’s just about rest, so practice remains up in the air for the Tigers star, it seems.

“All I can tell you is that he’s not gonna practice for a couple days,” Pearl said, via 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.”

Moreover, 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.

Florida’s Todd Golden was the only coach to take Bruce Pearl down on The Plains this season. A bit of revenge might be on Auburn’s mind because of it. The Gators 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-shee,t but 18 points wound up being just below his season average.

— On3’s Nick Kosko and Griffin McVeigh contributed to this report