Johni Broome turns in big game in Auburn win over Ole Miss

Auburn had a tough time holding off Ole Miss in a gritty SEC fight on Wednesday night, but a strong night from big man Johni Broome and an equally solid performance from Wendell Green did the trick in a 78-74 win.

The talented duo paced Auburn throughout the night.

“We go as Wendell Green goes, bottom line,” coach Bruce Pearl said on the SEC Network postgame. “And Johni Broome, I agree with you, I haven’t studied it very much, but it would be hard to not have him be Newcomer of the Year. He’s a double-double machine.”

Green scored 23 points in the contest and also dished out four assists. Broome, meanwhile, chipped in 19 points, eight rebounds, six blocks and three steals.

Johni Broome earned a ton of praise from his head coach following the win.

“He’s got really good hands. He’s got really good feet. He’s got a good touch,” Pearl said. “He’s able to do things inside and out. He makes a three ball. Late in the game, I get it to him top of the key and he’s comfortable shooting a big 15-footer. He’s just been there. He has been there before. Being a junior does make a difference. He’s going to get double-teamed and things along those lines. What a terrific player, he’s having a great, great year.”

Auburn survived some defensive breakdowns

The game was touch-and-go at multiple points on Wednesday night, in part because Ole Miss forced a bunch of Auburn mistakes.

The Tigers didn’t do a good enough job defensively.

“We had some breakdowns defensively. Their down-screen dribble hand-off stuff really bothered us,” Pearl explained. “Their slice stuff bothered us. Kermit (Davis) runs a lot of stuff, it’s hard to prepare for everything. Defense has carried this team throughout the season, we’ve got to tighten up on that end. And then obviously just stepping up and making shots.”

Auburn did that on Wednesday and came out victorious.

Pearl wanted to make sure everyone knew the opponent was plenty competent, though.

“Ole Miss is a good team without a good record right now in the league,” he said. “That’s a really good basketball team that’s extremely well-coached. Give Kermit Davis credit, they’re playing in every game, they’re in every game. The expectation might be that Auburn here at home is going to blow them out, that’s just not the case. They’re too talented. I mean Matthew Murrell and (Jaemyn) Brakefield. They did a terrific job. This was obviously one we had to have, and we’re getting closer to put ourselves in better position.”