Auburn coach Bruce Pearl didn’t rule out a return of star forward Johni Broome for the home game against No. 6 Tennessee on Saturday night.
Pearl told ESPN that Broome, who has been out since Jan. 11 with an ankle injury, practiced “some” on Friday. He remains questionable for the game, Pearl said, and a decision is expected close to game time.
Pearl said if Broome is available to play, he wouldn’t play a normal load of minutes. His ankle has been heavily taped the past two days in practice.
Auburn has managed to thrive in Broome’s absence, as it won the game at South Carolina when the injury occurred and beat both Mississippi State at home and Georgia on the road without Broome.
No. 1 Auburn projects as the top overall seed in the NCAA tournament. Broome has been its top player, as he was considered the front-runner for National Player of the Year before the injury. Broome is Auburn’s leading scorer and rebounder with 17.9 points and 10.7 rebounds.
Another key player is in flux for the top-10 clash. Tennessee star guard Jordan Gainey has flu-like symptoms, per a team spokesman and is listed as questionable.
Gainey didn’t travel on the team bus — but rather with the support staff — on the ride from the airport to the team hotel. His status is expected to be monitored throughout the day before a decision is made.
Gainey is Tennessee’s third-leading scorer with 11.2 points per game.
The Auburn Tigers may receive a major boost for their upcoming showdown against the Tennessee Volunteers as star center Johni Broome could potentially make his return to the lineup.
Broome, who has been sidelined with an injury, has been a key player for the Tigers this season, averaging double figures in points and rebounds. His presence in the paint has been sorely missed in recent games, as Auburn has struggled to contain opposing big men without him on the floor.
With the Tennessee game looming large on the schedule, Broome’s potential return could be a game-changer for the Tigers. His shot-blocking ability and rebounding prowess could help neutralize the Volunteers’ frontcourt and give Auburn a much-needed boost on both ends of the floor.
Fans will be eagerly awaiting an official announcement on Broome’s status for the game, but if he does suit up, it could be just the spark the Tigers need to secure a crucial victory in SEC play. Stay tuned for updates on Broome’s potential return and get ready for an exciting matchup between Auburn and Tennessee.
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