The highest-seeded Auburn males’s basketball staff defeated Alabama State within the opening spherical of the NCAA Division I males’s basketball match.
The Tigers then defeated Creighton within the second spherical on Saturday to advance to the Candy 16. However earlier than the SEC powerhouse’s run in March Insanity tipped off, Auburn nice Charles Barkley voiced his assist for one of many staff’s present stars.
Barkley, who’s offering commentary throughout broadcasts of match video games, believes Johni Broome would surpass him in Auburn lore if he can lead the Tigers to their first nationwide championship.
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Former NBA participant and Auburn alum Charles Barkley enters Neville Area by way of the loading dock previous to a recreation between Oklahoma Sooners and Auburn Tigers on February 4, 2025 in Auburn, Alabama. (Stew Milne/Getty Pictures)
“If he can finish the journey, I would say he’s (Broome) the greatest player in Auburn basketball history,” Barkley mentioned throughout Thursday’s telecast. “I truly mean that. What he’s done for the program, him and Coach (Bruce) Pearl and those guys, has been incredible. But if they could win a national championship, listen man, it’d be great.
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Barkley then pointed to Auburn’s appearance in the 2019 Final Four, declaring it the program’s best season to date.
Mar 22, 2025; Lexington, KY, USA; Auburn Tigers forward Johni Broome (4) handles the ball during the second half against the Creighton Bluejays in the second round to the NCAA Tournament at Rupp Arena. (Aaron Doster-Imagn Images)
“And I might say this, I mentioned once they made it to the Ultimate 4 a number of years in the past, that is the best season in Auburn basketball historical past. If he is capable of win a championship, I would say he is the best participant in Auburn basketball historical past. … He is higher than me in faculty.”
Auburn faced some doubt leading up to this year’s tournament due to the team’s struggles late in the regular season. The Tigers dropped back-to-back games to Texas A&M and Alabama earlier this month.
The March Madness logo is pictured at Amica Mutual Pavillion during Practice Day ahead of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament on March 19, 2025 in Providence, Rhode Island. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Tennessee outlasted Auburn in the SEC Tournament semifinal. The Volunteers ultimately fell to Florida in the SEC Tournament championship game.
Barkley pointed to the quality of the opponents who defeated Auburn. “They did not lose to Windfall,” he said. “They misplaced to 3 faculties that had been ranked within the prime 10-to-15. And pay attention, no disrespect to Windfall. Do not be blowing up. … They misplaced to Alabama on the buzzer, and so they’re a No. 2 or 3 seed. That is why I am not involved. They misplaced to 3 groups that is within the prime 15 of the nation.”
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Auburn will tackle the fifth-seeded Michigan Wolverines in the Sweet 16 on March 28 in Atlanta.
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