Johni Broome showcased an impressive performance with 25 points and 14 rebounds, leading the Auburn Tigers to a commanding 70-64 victory over the Michigan State Spartans on Sunday. This triumph allowed Auburn to complete a remarkable sweep of all No. 1 seeds, securing their place in the Final Four for the second time in the program's history.
The Auburn Tigers, who are the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, became the last of the No. 1 seeds to advance to the Final Four, joining the ranks of Florida, Duke, and Houston. This marks the first time since 2008 that all top seeds have made it to the Final Four, a feat only achieved once before since the inception of seeding in 1979. Notably, the Tigers' previous appearance in the Final Four occurred in 2019 under the leadership of coach Bruce Pearl.
Despite a valiant effort, Michigan State's hopes of sending coach Tom Izzo to his ninth national semi-final fell short. Jaxon Kohler led the Spartans with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Jaden Akins contributed 15 points. The game turned when Auburn went on a remarkable 17-0 run in the first half, solidifying their control over the match.
A pivotal moment in the game came when Broome suffered a fall on his right arm while attempting to block a shot with 10:37 remaining. Initially appearing to hurt his right elbow, Broome left the game briefly but made a triumphant return with 5:29 left on the clock, earning an enthusiastic ovation from the Auburn fans. With his elbow wrapped, he quickly made an impact by sinking a three-pointer less than a minute after his return. Broome reflected on the experience, saying, “It was a scary moment. I went down but my team had my back.”
Earlier in the day, the Houston Cougars demonstrated their defensive prowess, dismantling Tennessee 69-50 to secure their seventh Final Four appearance and their first since 2021. LJ Cryer led the charge with 17 points, while Emanuel Sharp scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half, earning the title of the region's Most Outstanding Player. Houston extended their winning streak to 17 games, a testament to their resilience after being eliminated as a No. 1 seed in the Sweet 16 in the previous two years.
With the stage set for an exciting Final Four, Auburn will face off against Florida, who triumphed over Texas Tech with an 84-79 victory in the West Region final. This all-Southeastern Conference semi-final is scheduled for Saturday in San Antonio, promising a thrilling showdown between two powerhouse teams.
As the tournament progresses, the Cougars will encounter Duke, led by Cooper Flagg, in what promises to be a highly competitive match in San Antonio. Houston has previously reached the national title game twice, with hopes of capturing their first national championship this year, a goal that eluded them in the Phi Slama Jama era.
