Bruce Pearl confirms positive reports on Johni Broome, assesses challenges Purdue poses

AUBURN -- Let's start with confirmation of the good news that broke on Wednesday, and that centers around Johni Broome. Head coach Bruce Pearl confirmed what Auburn Live first reported and what the school later announced via release: Broome will return soon. "We got a positive report from the standpoint of no surgery required and no damage," Pearl said on Thursday. "He won't practice (Thursday), but he will travel obviously up there, and I couldn't tell you status whether it's questionable, likely, we just don't know. We don't know. But the good news is it's not a long-term problem." On to No. 16 Purdue, who will be Auburn's seventh Quad I game of the season through just 12 games. The Tigers are 5-1 in Quad I games so far, with both Auburn and Purdue playing a Top 10 strength of schedule thus far. Purdue has wins over Maryland, NC State, Ole Miss and Alabama, with losses to Texas A&M, Penn State and Marquette.