The top seeded Auburn men’s basketball team defeated Alabama State in the opening round of the NCAA Division I-men’s basketball tournament.
The Tigers then defeated Creighton in the second round on Saturday to move on to Sweet 16. But before Sec Powerhouse’s Run in March Madness tipped out, Auburn Great Charles Barkley expressed his support for one of the team’s current stars.
Barkley, who makes comments during tournament games broadcasts, thinks Johni Broome would surpass him in Auburn Lore if he can lead Tigers to their first national championship.
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Former NBA player and Auburn -Alun Charles Barkley enters the Neville Arena through Loading Dock before a game between Oklahoma Seoners and Auburn Tigers on February 4, 2025 in Auburn, Alabama. (Stew Milne/Getty Images)
“If he can end the journey, I would say he is (BROOME) the biggest player in Auburn Basketball History,” Barkley said during Thursday’s Telecast. “I really mean that. What he has done for the program, him and coach (Bruce) Pearl and these guys have been incredible. But if they could win a national championship, listen man, it would be good.
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Barkley then pointed to Auburn’s performance in Final Four in 2019 and declared it to the program’s best season to date.
22 Mar 2025; Lexington, Ky, USA; Auburn Tigers tip Johni Broome (4) handles the ball during the second half against Creighton Bluejays in the second round for the NCAA tournament in Rupp Arena. (Aaron Doster-Preferred Pictures)
“And I want to say this, I said when they came to Final Four a few years ago, it’s the biggest season in Auburn Basketball story. If he’s able to win a championship, I would say he’s the biggest player in Auburn Basketball History. … He’s better than me in college.”
Auburn faced some doubt until this year’s tournament due to the team’s matches late in the regular season. The tigers fell back-to-back games to Texas A&M and Alabama earlier this month.
The March Madness logo is depicted on Amica Mutual Pavillion during the exercise day ahead of NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament on March 19, 2025 in Providence, Rhode Island. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Tennessee surpassed Auburn in Sec Tournament semi -finals. The volunteers eventually fell to Florida in the SEC Tournament Championship Game.
Barkley pointed to the quality of the opponents who defeated Auburn. “They didn’t lose for providence,” he said. “They lost to three schools that were ranked in the top 10-to-15. And listening, no respect for providence. Don’t blow up
Auburn takes the fifth seed Michigan Wolverines in Sweet 16 on March 28 in Atlanta.
