Auburn’s Star Forward Broome Game-Time Decision for Top-10 SEC Showdown

AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn Tigers’ star forward Johni Broome remains a game-time decision for Saturday’s highly anticipated SEC matchup against No. 6 Tennessee. Broome, who has been sidelined since Jan. 11 with a left ankle injury, participated in limited practice on Friday, according to head coach Bruce Pearl.

Pearl told ESPN that Broome’s availability will be determined close to tip-off. “If he plays, it won’t be a normal load of minutes,” Pearl said. Broome, Auburn’s leading scorer and rebounder with averages of 17.9 points and 10.7 rebounds per game, has been instrumental in the Tigers’ success this season.

Auburn (17-1, 5-0 SEC) has managed to stay undefeated in conference play despite Broome’s absence, securing wins against South Carolina, Mississippi State, and Georgia. The Tigers are currently projected as the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament by ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi.

Broome sustained the injury during the second half of Auburn’s 66-63 victory at South Carolina on Jan. 11. He appeared to roll his left ankle while going for a rebound and had to be helped off the court. An MRI later confirmed a lower ankle sprain, but no surgery was required.

“He sprained his ankle, and fortunately, it was his left ankle. As a left-handed player, he jumps off his right leg all the time,” Pearl said during an appearance on SiriusXM‘s “Basketball & Beyond with Coach K” podcast. “But it was the first time he ever sprained it. It takes a little longer to repair. We don’t want to rush him back.”

Meanwhile, Tennessee faces its own uncertainty as star guard Jordan Gainey battles flu-like symptoms. Gainey, the Volunteers’ third-leading scorer with 11.2 points per game, did not travel with the team bus and is listed as questionable for the game.

The top-10 clash is set to tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET inside Neville Arena in Auburn, Alabama. Both teams are vying for crucial momentum as the SEC season heats up.