Through seven games, the No. 3 Auburn Tigers have proven to be one of the best teams in college basketball.
Auburn is 7-0 overall, 2-0 over top-five teams, and 3-0 over top-25 squads. The Tigers were also crowned the champions of the Maui Invitational after going 3-0 against NCAA Tournament competition. [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag]’s squad has played well as a team, but one player is up for national Player of the Year discussion, says ESPN’s Jay Williams.
Although still November, Williams says it is not too early to throw Auburn forward Johni Broome’s name into Player of the Year talks after his stellar performances against top talent.
“I know talking about the National Player of the Year Award before Thanksgiving is similar to talking about the Heisman in August, but I don’t care. (Broome), against three Top-15 opponents – North Carolina, Houston, Iowa State – is averaging 21 points per game, 13 rebounds on 57% shooting. So far, in the first half [against Memphis], 15 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three blocks.”
Broome’s stats against three top-15 teams is amazing, but the most spectacular aspect of his season so far is his ability to out-do his previous performances. In seven games, Broome has reached the 20-point scoring mark five times and has recorded five double-doubles.
Broome also accomplished his goal of reaching a double-double before halftime of Auburn’s final two games of the Maui Invitational on his way to a 23-point, 19-rebound effort vs. North Carolina and a 21-point, 16-rebound game vs. Memphis. The senior won Maui Invitational MVP honors after averaging 21.6 points, 15 rebounds, and 4.3 assists over Auburn’s three games at the tournament.
Broome will look to further inject himself into Player of the Year discussions on Wednesday, Dec. 4, when the Auburn Tigers travel to Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina to face the No. 10 Duke in the ACC-SEC Challenge.
Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__