In a thrilling game in Atlanta, Auburn’s star forward Johni Broome defied an injury to lead his team to victory over Michigan State, securing a spot in the Final Four. Despite nursing an injured right arm during the celebration, Broome did not let it hinder his excitement as he climbed a ladder to cut down the net, a symbol of triumph, which he then wore around his neck.
Broome showcased an outstanding performance with 25 points and 14 rebounds, playing a crucial role in Auburn’s decisive 17-point streak in the first half, which paved the way for their 70-64 win over Michigan State. Auburn’s coach, Bruce Pearl, praised Broome for his clutch performance during crucial moments of the game.
With this victory, Auburn (32-5) booked their place in the Final Four for the second time in the school’s history. Meanwhile, Michigan State (30-7) fell short in their quest to return coach Tom Izzo to the national semifinals for the ninth time. Pearl previously guided Auburn to its only other Final Four in 2019.
As the champions of the South Region, Auburn, the top overall seed, joined Florida, Duke, and Houston in the Final Four, completing a sweep of all No. 1 seeds advancing to the next stage. They are set to face fellow Southeastern Conference team Florida, who defeated Texas Tech 84-79 in the West Region final, in the semifinal clash set for Saturday in San Antonio.
Michigan State’s Jaxon Kohler led the Spartans with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Jaden Akins contributed 15 points. Although injured after falling on his right arm during a block attempt, Broome returned to the game within five minutes, much to the cheers of Auburn fans. He quickly made an impact with a three-pointer and a one-handed rebound despite having his elbow wrapped.
Broome revealed the team doctor assured him the injury was not serious, though coach Pearl predicted some soreness to come. Broome’s remarkable shot accuracy, including 10 of 13 from the field, earned recognition from Izzo, who noted the challenge of guarding him.
Auburn distinguished itself by winning each of its initial March Madness games by double digits, including a 78-65 victory over Michigan in the Sweet 16, while Michigan State had a narrow 73-70 win over Mississippi.
The game saw Michigan State initially taking an 8-6 lead before Auburn’s explosive 17-0 run shifted the momentum. The Spartans endured a scoring drought for close to six minutes during this stretch. The first half concluded with Auburn leading 33-24, and though Michigan State narrowed the gap, they never fully recovered.
Notably, this was the first time since 2008 that all No. 1 seeds reached the Final Four, showcasing the accuracy of the selection committee’s decisions.
Coach Izzo expressed immense pride in his team for their remarkable unity and effort despite falling behind in the game. He cited this year as one of the most fulfilling of his career.
For Michigan State, Coen Carr started following a stellar performance against Ole Miss, while Szymon Zapala, typically a starter, returned as a reserve. Carr and Zapala had minimal impact in their roles against Auburn.
Auburn benefited from strong contributions during their 17-0 run, with Miles Kelly and Tahaad Pettiford among the standout performers. Kelly delivered key jumpers and a critical three-pointer, while Pettiford added 10 points to Auburn’s successful outing.