Auburn's Bruce Pearl Gives Johni Broome Injury Update, Expects Star to Play Final Four

After exiting Auburn's Elite Eight matchup against Michigan State with an injury on Sunday, Johni Broome should be ready to go for the Final Four, head coach Bruce Pearl said.

"He's sore. We didn't practice today, and we'll practice tomorrow—but Johni won't practice," Pearl told The Field of 68's Jeff Goodman. "He's sore, but I fully expect him to play on Saturday."

Broome briefly exited the Elite Eight matchup after an awkward fall that appeared to hurt his knee and elbow. Despite being clearly shaken up after the play, Broome returned to the court after his X-rays came back negative.

Broome said after the game that he'd be ready for the Final Four.

Broome, a Naismith Men's College Player of the Year finalist, put up 25 points and 14 rebounds in Auburn's 70-64 win over the No. 2-seeded Spartans on Sunday. The Morehead State transfer is averaging 18.7 points and 10.9 rebounds per game this season.

It seems Broome is trending toward playing on Saturday against the top-seeded Gators, and his presence will be integral to the Tigers' chances of reaching their first national title game in school history.

Auburn gets most of its offense from Broome and relies on his 6'10" frame in the paint on defense. The Tigers will go up against a pair of outstanding big men on Saturday in Florida's Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh, and they'll need Broome on the court to have a chance of moving on.

Auburn went 15-3 in conference play in the regular season, with one of its only losses coming against the Gators in February. The Tigers will get a chance to avenge that loss on Saturday, this time in a matchup with much higher stakes.

A win in the Final Four would give Auburn a national title showdown against the winner of Duke and Houston.